Mikdad to Al-Ahed: Iranian Initiative Matches Al-Assad’s Proposal, Russian Stance Firm

Ali Abdullah- Damascus

Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mikdad confirmed that "the Iranian initiatives regarding the Syrian crisis are the same as the one proposed by President Bashar al-Assad.

In an interview with al-Ahed news site, Mikdad stated that "the Iranian leadership renewed in many occasions its support for the political program of President al-Assad."
"The Syrian government is working through the relevant committee on the implementation of the political program," he added, and noted that "it had formed for this purpose a number of committees, and issued several decisions, including allowing and encouraging the return of displaced people to their homeland."
In parallel, the Syrian diplomat highlighted that "regular meetings are held between the Prime Minister and the committee in charge in this regard, with a number of parties and opposition forces."

Mikdad further said: "the wheel is going in the right direction," as he expressed hope that the Syrian leadership scores great achievements in this area during the next few days.
Regarding the government's call for Syrians to return to their country, he added: "There are guarantees on the highest level, as stated in the statement of President al-Assad, so everyone has to return to stop fighting, the destruction of Syria, and building the country through dialogue and national reconciliation."

On what is rumored on a Russian-American settlement over Syria, Mikdad assured that the Russian position from the Syrian crisis is related to principles.
Thus, he questioned all those doubt the Russian stance by saying: "Why do you think that the Russian position is changing and not the others' one?"
"The Russian position remains firm and isn't established on sordid interests as is the Western position, which aims to kill the Syrian people and continue the bloodshed," he concluded.

Source: al-Ahed news, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org