Iran backs Syria against foreign schemes

(Xinhuanet) -- Iran’s national security chief, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, has said his country stands against any foreign intervention in Syria. He also reiterated his country’s support for Syria, and says Iran stands ready to help mediate a dialogue between the Syrian government and the opposition.

Syrian President, Bashar Assad, held talks with the head of Iran’s Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and National Security, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, in Damascus on Sunday.

Assad says what is happening in Syria is a foreign-backed scheme. He asserts the scheme is not only targeting Syria but the entire region. Boroujerdi, for his part, has backed the importance of the mutual interests between Iran and Syria, noting "Syria’s security is Iran’s security".

The Iranian security chief was in the Syrian capital for a two-day visit with senior Syrian officials. He has been trying to work on an alternative political process to address the crisis in Syria.

Boroujerdi said the Syrian government is "tentatively ready" to open a dialogue with the opposition, in order to find a solution to the crisis. But he stressed the dialogue would only be possible once the opposition and its foreign backers agree to negotiate a political solution to the crisis. He says Iran stands ready to play mediator and host the talks.

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, head of Iran national security & foreign policy, said, "Syrian authorities have tentatively welcomed a dialogue with the opposition. The acceptance of a dialogue by the Syrian government is a positive sign. If the opposition and the countries supporting it, agree to a dialogue, we’re ready to lay the ground for talks. We believe a political solution is the only way to solve this crisis." .

During his visit Boroujerdi also met with Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa. It was the Syrian official’s first appearance in weeks, ending rumours he had defected.

Arabic media reported al-Sharaa defected from Assad’s government on August the 18th, but a statement from the Vice president’s office denied the claims.