Russia supports diplomatic solution to Syrian crisis: Iranian official

TEHRAN,Dec.22(MNA) - Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that Russia supports the settlement of the Syrian crisis through diplomatic channels. “Russia has emphasized that it will not abandon its position and will continue its efforts to support the country”, Amir-Abdollahian stated during a televised interview broadcast live on Iranian television on Wednesday night. He also said that during the last two years, a number of countries have been making efforts to undermine security in Syria through sending weapons and arming terrorist groups with the aim of toppling the Syrian government, but these approaches will not change the Syrian political system. The Iranian official added that the hegemonistic powers are making efforts to give the false impression that only a few countries, including Iran, support Syria and other countries are seeking a change of government in the country. But there are many countries that are seeking to find diplomatic solutions to settle the Syrian issue, he said, adding that the violence will be reduced in the Arab country through the promotion of national dialogue. In addition, Amir-Abdollahian commented on Iran’s six-point proposal on Syria, noting that the part of the initiative which calls for the establishment of a national reconciliation committee in Syria is the “most political” and “most democratic” part of it. In the proposal, whose details were released on December 16, Iran has called for a halt to all acts of violence in Syria, the distribution of humanitarian aid among the people affected by the crisis which requires the lifting of economic sanctions against the country, national dialogue followed by the establishment of a transitional government agreed by all sides and free parliamentary and presidential elections, release of those arrested for peaceful political activities and a fair trial of criminals, an end to the campaign of misinformation against Syria, and the establishment of a committee to assess the damage to the country’s infrastructure. The Iranian deputy foreign minister said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would serve as the legitimate president of Syria until an election is held, adding that among the responsibilities of the transitional government are holding parliamentary elections, amending the Constitution, and holding a presidential election. Elsewhere in his remarks, Amir-Abdollahian commented on the situation of the 48 Iranian nationals who were abducted by the Syrian rebel al-Baraa Brigade, which is affiliated with the self-proclaimed Free Syrian Army, on August 4. He said that according to the collected evidence and documents, all 48 Iranian hostages are in good health and effective measures have been taken by the Iranian government, particularly various departments of the Foreign Ministry, to return them home safe as early as possible.