President Al-Assad to Zarif: All Should Contribute to Uprooting Terrorist Wahhabi Thinking

DAMASCUS, (ST) – President Bashar Al-Assad on Wednesday received Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the accompanying delegation.

Talks dealt with developments in the region and common challenges facing the countries and peoples of this region with terrorism and the takfir extremist thinking at the top.

President Al-Assad warned of the danger of the Wahhabi mindset which has become a threat to the entire world not only the region, stressing that the Syrian people and some other peoples in the region have become aware of the danger of this plague which should be confronted and uprooted by all.

The ongoing preparations for Geneva II conference were also discussed during the meeting.

The Iranian minister stressed Iran’s support for Syria, leadership and people, in its efforts to make the conference a success, reiterating that the crisis in Syria can only be solved by the Syrians themselves.

Zarif asserted the keenness of the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue coordination and consultations with Syria on different issues and to enhance cooperation in all domains to serve the common interests of the peoples of the two countries and all the peoples of the region.

The meeting was attended by Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem, the Presidential Political and Media Advisor Baoutaina Shaaban and Deputy Foreign Minister Faysal al-Mikdad.  

 Earlier and upon his arrival in Damascus after a tour, which included Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan, Zarif urged all countries to combat terrorism and extremism which have became a serious threat to all.

The Iranian Foreign Minister said that his visit comes within Iran’s efforts to “help the international conference on Syria Geneve II attain positive results that serve the Syrian people’s interests.”

He affirmed that he will go ahead with efforts to coordinate stances aiming at restoring security and stability to Syria.  

Zarif had stressed the need to unify the efforts of all countries and peoples to confront the terrorism and extremism phenomena which have become a real threat to the entire region.

He also had reiterated that political settlement based on dialogue among the Syrians is the only solution to the crisis in Syria, pointing out that only the Syrians have the right to determine the future of their country.

H. Mustafa