‘Immediate ceasefire would be a major step toward peace in Syria’

TEHRAN,Oct.20(MNA)– Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Friday that an immediate ceasefire in Syria would be a great step in line with efforts to restore peace in the country. Amir-Abdollahian said the United States and the Zionist regime want the crisis in Syria to continue. He added that the countries are supporting armed opposition groups in Syria to weaken and destroy the axis of resistance. Turkey also threw its diplomatic weight on Friday behind a call for a cease-fire “at least” through a three-day Islamic holiday beginning next week, according to the New York Times. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Friday that his Ankara hopes that the Syrian government listens to this call by the international community and stops attacks during Eid ul-Adha. “In response, we expect the opposition to abide by the cease-fire in the same way,” Davutoglu added. He also expressed hope that a truce over the holiday would take root for a longer period. Ceasefire during Eid al-Adha was one of the proposals put forward by Iran to resolve the Syrian crisis. Eid al-Adha is an Islamic holiday which starts on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah (October 26) and lasts several days.