Arming Syrian Opposition A Mistake: Iranian Deputy FM
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for African and Middle Eastern Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian described arming Syria’s opposition groups as a new mistake.
“Training and arming (so-called) moderate opposition in Syria is a new mistake that will take us further away from a political solution (to the country’s crisis),” Amir Abdollahian said Wednesday in a meeting in Tehran with German Foreign Ministry director for Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East Division Clemens von Goetze.
He warned against the consequences of using terrorism as a tool in the region and said due to some countries’ negligence and support (for terrorism), nationals of 108 countries have joined terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran acts powerfully against terrorism,” Amir Abdollahian further underlined, adding, however, that fighting this ominous phenomenon requires collective efforts while observing international laws.
The German diplomat, for his part, praised Tehran’s “effective actions in combatting terrorism."
Clemens von Goetze also stressed that the only solution for Syria’s crisis is political.
The diplomat also described continued consultations between Iran and Germany as constructive.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed the developments in Iraq, Yemen, and Bahrain and warned against the threat of terrorism and extremism to peace in the region and world.
