Araqchi: No Military Solution to Syrian Crisis

TEHRAN – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi voiced Tehran’s strong opposition to any military solution to the crisis in Syria, saying unrests in the country should be resolved through political and democratic means, according to FNA.

Araqchi, who is in Ankara for an official visit, has emphasized that the crisis in Syria cannot be resolved through military means.

He reiterated that crisis in Syria will be definitely settled through comprehensive talks between the Syrian government and real opposition groups, not terrorists.

He further categorically denied claims about Tehran’s military presence in Syria, and stated, “Iranian forces have never been, and are not present in Syria, and I deny this claim.”

Meantime, Iran has intensified diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing crisis in Syria.

Tehran will be hosting the meeting of the Friends of Syria in late May in a bid to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing crisis in the country.

Representatives of a number of foreign countries and international organizations will take part in the upcoming friends of Syria meeting in the Iranian capital.

Earlier, Iran’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mohammad Khazayee said that the ‘Friends of Syria’ conference which will be held in Iran’s capital city later in May will try to find a peaceful and practical solution to the crisis in Syria.

Khazayee reiterated in a statement that the friends of Syria meeting slated for May 29 also proves the Islamic Republic’s key role in this peaceful approach.

He said Iran believes the upcoming meeting could pave the way for further coordination among the countries which are Syria’s true friends to help the country overcome the crisis.

He hoped the meeting could result in working out of a practical solution to the crisis in Syria.

R.S