Iran ready to 'play role' in restoring Syria stability
Foreign Ministry slams Arab countries, says 'instead of pushing Syria toward civil war, these countries should use their influence to create a climate of dialogue between the government and the opposition'
Iran is ready to "play its role" alongside other countries in the region to try to establish a dialogue between government and opposition forces in Syria, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Saturday.
"Iran is ready to play its role in bringing stability and security in Syria" and stop the Syrian crisis, which "quickly snowballed throughout the region," he said.
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Tehran, Damascus' main ally, has repeatedly offered to wield its influence to help resolve the Syrian crisis, but has been rejected by the Syrian opposition and some Western and Arab countries who accuse Tehran of helping President Bashar Assad to suppress the rebellion.
Iran in turn accuses some Western and Arab countries of arming the rebels in an effort to bring down the Syrian regime in Damascus.
Mehmanparast reiterated Iranian criticism against "certain countries in the region (who) believe that arming the rebels will resolve the Syrian crisis.
"Instead of causing dissension and pushing Syria toward civil war, these countries should use their influence to create a climate of dialogue between the government and the opposition," he added.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman also reaffirmed its support for international envoy Kofi Annan and his efforts to resolve the crisis. Although it has so far failed, the plan remains "the best solution to the Syrian crisis," Mehmanparast noted.
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