‘Tehran confab to help end Syria unrest’

Iran’s ambassador to Azerbaijan says that the conference on Syria due in Tehran can increase cooperation to help end the unrest in the Arab country.

œThis meeting … can increase cooperation and coordination among the real friends of the Syrian people to help the country overcome crisis,” Iranian Ambassador to Baku Mohsen Pak-Ayeen said in a Monday interview with Azerbaijan™s Trend news agency.

The Friends of Syria Conference, which seeks to find a political solution to the crisis in Syria, will be held in the Iranian capital on May 29, under the banner of œPolitical Solution, Regional Stability.”

Pak-Ayeen further said that the participation of different countries in the conference shows the global willingness for finding a peaceful solution to the crisis in Syria and indicates Iran™s key role in the region.

œThe [forthcoming] presence of countries and international organizations in Tehran indicates that the world public opinion is more determined than ever to help find a political solution to the crisis in Syria and also highlights Iran™s international role,” Pak-Ayeen said.

Earlier on Monday, Iran™s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said more than 40 countries are expected to participate in the Tehran meeting, adding that the representative of former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will submit Annan™s message to the participants.

Tehran has already held two other meetings on the crisis in the Arab country.

Pak-Ayeen further underlined Iran™s determination in resolving the unrest in Syria through political means and said while certain countries are sending weapons to Syria to sow discord among the people and demolish the country, Iran has been dispatching humanitarian aid for the people in the crisis-hit country.

The Iranian envoy said that the countries that send arms to the militants in Syria should be held accountable for their measures.

He said that certain countries are posing a threat to the regional peace and stability by supporting the extremist groups inside Syria.

Iran has repeatedly expressed its opposition to any foreign intervention in Syria’s internal affairs, stressing that inclusive dialog and national reconciliation as well as free elections are the keys to resolving the unrest in the Arab country.

The unrest in Syria erupted over two years ago and many people, including large numbers of Syrian soldiers and security personnel, have been killed in the violence.

YH/HJL