Iranian Official: US, Israel to Wage Sectarian War in Syria

TEHRAN (FNA)- A senior Iranian foreign ministry official blasted the US and Israel for their attempts to wage sectarian war in Syria, and said that their plots against Damascus are doomed to failure.
"A plan by the American-Zionism axis aimed at creating sectarian war in Syria is defeated," Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said.

The Iranian official also called on Syrian people to follow up their "legitimate demands" through democratic means.

"The people of Syria pursue their legitimate demands through democratic way and believe in the reforms plan of (Syrian President) Bashar Assad," Amirabdollahian said.

He added that the Syrian nation is proud of its "presence in the front line of resistance and support of the oppressed people of Palestine."

Syria has witnessed violent protests since mid-March. While the opposition accuses the security forces of being behind the violence, Syrian authorities blame armed groups and foreign elements for the aggressive actions, saying security forces have been given clear instructions not to hurt civilians.

Earlier in May, the Syrian cabinet approved formation of a committee tasked with reforming the administration to restore peace in the country.

The Syrian president says the US and its allies have been hindering political reforms in the country.

Despite mounting pressures from the US, European countries, Saudi Arabia and Turkey on the Syrian government, Assad in his recent speech stressed that he will not succumb to foreign pressures.