In a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi in Tehran on Tuesday, Annan regretted Iran’s absence in a recent international conference on Syria in Geneva, Switzerland, and elaborated on the results of the meeting.
He stressed that those involved in the Syrian conflict must not be supplied with arms; and instead efforts must focus on a political end to the crisis.
“The Geneva meeting made it quite clear that we were opposed to any further militarization of the conflict, which in effect means that we should seek a peaceful solution and not continue to arm people in the conflict,” Annan stated.
The former UN chief underlined that Solution to the Syrian crisis must include Iran.
“My presence here proves that I believe Iran can play a positive role and should therefore be part of the solution in the Syrian crisis,” Annan stated.
He underlined that he has “received encouragement and cooperation” from the Iranian government, and Tehran has always offered its support to end the Syrian conflict.
Salehi, for his part, called on all parties concerned with the crisis in Syria to join common efforts to resolve the conflict.
The Iranian foreign minister highlighted that unjust and unilateral interventions must not be given a chance to further incite violence.
“Regional and influential states must prevent foreign intervention in Syrian by means of a realistic approach as outside inference will further complicate the situation on the ground,” Salehi noted.
He went on to say that Tehran fully supports Annan’s six-point plan on ending the unrest in Syria, describing realism, neutrality, determination and patience as factors contributing to the success of any such plan.
Iran supports the basic civil rights of the Syrian people as well as reforms pledged by President Bashar al-Assad, and opposes foreign intervention in Syria’s domestic affairs, Salehi pinpointed.
MP/PKH/AZ/IS
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