Salehi in Cairo to Discuss Syrian Crisis

Local Editor

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi stressed late Wednesday that the Syrian people should decide for their own destiny with no prescription from a foreign country.

Speaking to reporters at the airport upon his arrival to the Egyptian capital, Cairo, Salehi said Iran was not to interfere in the internal affairs of Syria.
However, he added, as friends to Damascus, "We should help prevent unpleasant events in the region."

In parallel, Salehi hailed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's initiative, and noted that more plans were already proposed by the Arab League, UN special envoy Kofi Annan, Geneva meeting, Turkey and Iran.
"What is important is to find common points of all these plans in order to close the ranks and facilitate reaching a solution which would solve the Syrian crisis in a Syrian way," the Iranian FM confirmed.

He further highlighted that "resolving the Syrian crisis would bring peace and stability to the entire region too."
Salehi said his Cairo visit also aimed at reviewing regional developments, including the Syrian issue.

Concerning the release of 48 kidnapped Iranians in Syria, Salehi appreciated efforts made by Qatari, Turkish and Syrian governments as well as the Iranian Foreign Ministry officials.

In this context, he contacted his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Moualem and  appreciated support and efforts of the Syrian officials, which led to the release of the Iranian hostages.
A statement by the Foreign Ministry quoted the Iranian minister as saying that efforts made by the Syrian officials to release the Iranian hostages were in line with the cordial relations between the two countries.

Salehi also conferred with al-Moualem on the latest developments in Syria as well as the proposed plan by al-Assad to solve the crisis.


Source: News agencies, Edited by moqawama.org