Russia, Iran ‘unanimous’ on terrorist list

TEHRAN– Deputy-FM for Arab and African Affairs has said Ahrar al-Sham and Jaysh al-Islam should be included in terrorist groups’ list in Syrian talks.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian is visiting Russia and has visited Mikhail LeonidovichBogdanov, Russiann Deputy-Foreign Minister to discuss the latest developments in Syria and Iran-Russia collaboration in fighting terrorism. He highlighted a convergence of positions by Iran and Russia in solving Syrian political issues and fighting terrorism, according to MEHR News.

Amir-Abdollahian criticized what he believed was a general disregard by Syrian groups participating in Syrian peace talks to deem proper Iranian-Russian proposals that some of groups fighting currently on the ground in Syria be included in terrorist list;

“Ahrar al-Sham al-Islamiyya, or the Islamic Movement of the Free Men of the Levant, and Jaysh al-Islam should be included in the list,” Mr. Amir-Abdollahian told the meeting. “However, efforts to include these groups have little progress.”

Both deputies discussed among subject matters issues of Iraq, Palestine, and Yemen. Bogdanov believed that Tehran-Moscow ties had been always transparent and constructive with regular exchange of opinions. He dubbed Russian participation in Tehran International Book Fair as opportunity for both nations to develop a higher level of familiarity with the other side. “Cessation of hostilities of March coordinated by US and Russia, excludes ISIL and Al-Nusra Front and they will face unremitting attacks against themselves. Moscow also has proposed to the UN that the two groups discussed here be recognized as terrorist groups,” Bogdanov added.

Bogdanov was pointing to Russian bid in the UN anti-terrorism committee of last week when the proposal was made to put Ahrar al-Sham and Jaysh al-Islam, groups receiving support and arms from Saudi Arabia.

M.Wassouf