Tehran Says American Forces Had Better Exit Syria Soon

TEHRAN-Spokesman of the Iranian Foreign Ministry Bahram Qassemi has stressed that the US military presence in Syria is illegal.

In a press briefing on Monday, Qassemi said that the US presence is “unlawful and in contravention of international regulations” because America has deployed its forces to Syrian territory without the government’s permission

“Our advice is that America had better exit Syria at the earliest and refrain from interfering in the [internal] affairs of the country,” he added.

The US started an aerial campaign allegedly against what it said were the positions of the Daesh terrorist group in Syria in September 2014. It has had special forces on the ground there as well. Both of those activities have lacked Syrian government permission.

 Qassemi said that, given the US reputation as an expansionist country, it will act to create instability and insecurity in Syria and to prop up the terrorists who have largely been defeated there.

 Iran plans private sector participation in Syria reconstruction

Qassemi also said that his country plans to have its private sector participate in the reconstruction of post-war Syria.

He pointed out that Iran has had an active presence in the fight against terrorism in Syria based on the Syrian government’s request and will be present in reconstructing the Arab country as well.

“Iran’s plan is for the private sector and commercial, industrial, and technological enterprises to have a presence in Syria,” Qassemi said. “We hope conditions would be created as soon as possible for work to begin and for the [Iranian private] sector, too, to be able to serve the people of Syria.”

Hamda Mustafa