The cancerous spread of terrorism should be encountered
DAMASCUS, (ST)_ His Excellency President Bashar Al-Assad underscored that the steadfastness and will are the best way for the realization of people’s interests, in reference to the Iranians’ steadfastness and unity with their leadership and commitment to their independent resolution which led to the recent signing of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) regarding Iran‘s peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Receiving the visiting Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif, President Assad voiced the Syrians appreciation for Iran’s firm support to their country, welcoming the sincere efforts exerted by Iran and friendly countries as to stop war launched against Syria and as to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Viewpoints regarding the best ways as to find a peaceful solution for the war launched against Syria were exchanged. Minister Zarif asserted that the Syrians’ will should be the compass for whatever ideas to be proposed to this effect and away from foreign interference and in perseverance of Syria’s territorial integrity and independence of decision.
Minister Zarif reiterated Iran’s determination to pursue providing every support enabling the steadfastness of the Syrians alleviating their sufferings in the face of the bloody war launched against them by the organizations of terrorism.
President Assad and Minister Zarif asserted that all countries in the region and abroad should recognize that their destiny and the future of their people are not safe in the light of the cancerous spread of terrorism, and that all have to sincerely and seriously work for combating such a looming danger through the coordination of efforts and the adoption of on the realities and facts based and far sighted policies and through refraining from backing terrorist groups and from providing political cover for such groups.
The Iranian Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif described his today’s talks with H.E. President Bashar Al-Assad as ‘good’ and has been focused at ‘solving the crisis in Syria’.
‘It is the ripe time that other players and our neighbours to concentrate at and care about the realities and to respect the demands of the Syrian People and work for the fighting against extremism, terrorism and sectarianism,” added Minister Zarif.
According to Iranian News Agency, (IRNA) Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in Beirut, Lebanon on Wednesday that neighbouring states should mind expectations of the regional nations to resolve disputes through negotiations and respect to the common interests.
Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, he appreciated key role of the speaker of Lebanese parliament to restore peace and stability in the region and Lebanon as well.
The meeting with the speaker of Lebanese parliament was a suitable opportunity to exchange views on current developments in Lebanon and the region and the need to help restore security and tranquillity in the region, Zarif said.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has always backed the Lebanese government and nation and they have mobilized popular forces to help restore national peace, stability and tranquillity and would continue the path, said foreign minister.
‘We believe that implementation of nuclear deal between Iran and G5+1 would prepare the ground for cooperation of the regional countries and they are expected to resolve their differences and sectarianism, extremism and terrorism posing major threats to the region,’ Zarif said.
Minister Zarif and Secretary-General of Lebanese Resistance Movement Hezbollah Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah on Wednesday called for regional cooperation against extremism.
In a meeting held on Tuesday night, Nasrallah called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) a positive achievement for Iran, Lebanon and the entire region.
Lebanese resistance movement will do its best to protect Lebanon and the entire region from the elements posing threat to co-existence and solidarity of followers of various sects in the region, he added.
Zarif for his part urged dialogue and cooperation among all political groups to resolve regional disputes and thwart the divisive plots of the Israeli and the extremist groups.
He said that the JCPOA will have positive impact on regional developments.
Lebanese resistance movement has a constructive role in regional peace and developments and Lebanese nation are proud of, Zarif said.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil on Wednesday highlighted successful nuclear deal with the western governments, saying that the Lebanese government would use advantages of the nuclear deal to settle regional and Palestinian crisis.
Bassil made the remarks in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and accompanying delegation on Wednesday afternoon.
Referring to capacities of Lebanon to develop trade ties with the US, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa, Gebran Bassil said that Lebanese government has effective role and influence in economy, culture and politics of different countries helpful to enhance level of trade and economic ties.
He said that the Islamic Republic of Iran has unique and extensive economic capacities in international trade and the Lebanese government is willing to utilize Iranian trade relations with the outside world in line with national interests.
Zarif and Bassil discussed the latest developments in the region and bilateral issues.
Concerning bilateral relations between Iran and Lebanon, Zarif said that the two nations can take new steps to enhance level of ties in the aftermath of the nuclear deal.
Referring to the deep mistrust between Iran and the US over the past 36 years emanated from the Israeli propaganda against Iran and the US placed trust in the Israeli propaganda, Zarif said that mind of the Americans were full of the lies fabricated by Tel Aviv regime, but, part of that US public opinion has changed by Vienna accord concerning Iran’s nuclear program on July 14.
He underlined that the nuclear deal was the outcome of Iranians resistance to US bullying and the demand of the people crystallized by the democratic presidential election in 2013.
Zarif said that the Islamic Republic of Iran is willing to expand all-out ties with Lebanon and expressed hope for regular consultations between public and private sectors in the field of energy, implementing joint projects, increase in trade and cultural exchanges in line with common interests.
The role of Iran in the region has been a cornerstone in the fight against oppression, hegemony and terrorism. Here comes the importance of Iran’s recently signed agreement regarding its peaceful nuclear program, as well as the importance of Iran’s support to the Syrian people in their war, on behalf not only of the region, but of the entire world against terrorism.
“The support provided to the Syrian People by the Islamic Republic of Iran is but a fundamental cornerstone in the battle against terrorism,” as H.E. President Bashar Al-Assad underlined in a May 19, 2015 statement.
“The same relation that we could have described 35 years ago since the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979, when Syria stood by that revolution, supported it while many countries, but mainly the West and the Gulf states, stood against it, then later Saddam Hussein attacked Iran and we supported Iran. Now, Iran supports Syria. So, it’s a mutual support which is actually an alliance. So, it’s an alliance. That’s how I can describe it,” according to similar statements by President Assad on April 17, 2015 statements to the Expressen
“Iran is an important country to our region. It’s a big country, it’s a developed country, proportionally, at least. But that influence, I would look at it in a positive way, because Iran is a country that seeks to have more stability, for its interests. Any country has interests. So, it is influential, but in a positive way,” added President Assad on April 17, 2015 statements to the Expressen.
Iran’s concluded nuclear agreement has been indeed a great victory and historic achievement as outlined by President Assad in his two congratulatory cables to the Iranian leadership and people.
“This agreement crowns, without fail, the steadfastness of the Iranian people, with all their components and inclinations, in the face of unjust sanctions; apart from the cruelty of those sanctions, the Iranian people have created an opportunity from the sanctions as to boost their own capabilities up and take their researches, universities and achievements to high levels that earned them the recognition of the entire world.”
Iran’s recently signed agreement has indeed been a “major turning point” in the human history as well as “unequivocal recognition by the world of the peacefulness of the Iranian nuclear program on the way of continued momentum of Iran’s support for the just issues of peoples and work for peace and stability worldwide. It is the very victory for all of peace advocates worldwide.
It is hoped that this historic agreement would motivate, if not oblige, others, especially those who occupy Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian land, to sign the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty). In the global village of today, nukes are the ugliest forms of terrorism and most dangerous risks against those who stockpile them, and even more than on the neighbors!
Dr. Mohammad Abdo Al-Ibrahim