Iranian, French Diplomats Discuss Syrian Crisis
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari and Special Envoy of France to Syria Franck Gellet exchanged views about a range of issues, including the latest efforts to resolve the protracted crisis in Syria.
Speaking at the meeting in Tehran, the French diplomat highlighted his country’s determination to help end the Syrian crisis politically.
He further expressed the hope that Tehran and Paris would be able to use their influence and encourage the Syrian warring parties to engage in talks to put an end to the crisis.
Jaberi Ansari, for his part, highlighting Iran’s principled policies toward regional crises, said the Islamic Republic is ready to cooperate with France to help restore peace and security to the Arab country.
Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with various terrorist groups, including Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL), currently controlling parts of it.
According to a report by the Syrian Center for Policy Research, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 470,000 people, injured 1.9 million others, and displaced nearly half of the country’s pre-war population of about 23 million within or beyond its borders.
In the meantime, Iran has remained a close ally of Syria and supports its legitimate government in the face of foreign-backed militancy.
Tehran insists that the Syrian nation is the only side that has the right to shape the future of its own country, rejecting foreign intervention with the use of force.
