Larijani Blasts US, Allies over Statements on Presidential Elections in Syria

TEHRAN- Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has questioned why the West, which claims to seek democracy in Syria, is scared of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad running for re-election next year and sets conditions for the participation of Iran in Geneva 2 conference on Syria.

In his statement at the parliament session on Wednesday, Larijani criticized the US and its regional allies for not abiding by the promises they made at the Geneva 1 conference on Syria.

He noted that the remarks made by the US political figures who have said Iran has to abide by the results of the Geneva-1 talks and that President Bashar Al-Assad must not run for the next round of presidential elections show they are suffering from forgetfulness or prefer to fake one, according to IRNA.

Larijani pointed to the ballyhoo since the first round of Syria talks in Geneva by “some talkative creatures” saying that Iran must not take part in the conference, saying that the result of lack of Iran’s presence in the talks is the current situation in Syria.

Iran has underlined the need for talks in Syria, he said, reiterating that those who participated in the meeting but later on failed to abide by its decisions have to explain their behavior.

According to Press TV, Larijani said that these countries must explain why they opted for a military solution in Syria despite the agreements reached in 2012 Geneva 1 conference on the Syrian crisis.

He said Iran did not participate in Geneva 1 conference but repeatedly announced that the Syrian crisis does not have a “military solution” but that it should be solved through “national dialogue.”

He further said these same countries which are going back on their own word, are now setting conditions for Iran and say Tehran must accept the Geneva 1 agreements if it wants to take part in future talks.

H. Mustafa