Iran’s Mission to Mediate in Syria

30 September 2012 | 14:25 Code : 1907405 From Other Media General category

Fararu.com’s interview with Mohammad Sadegh Al-Hosseini, senior Middle East affairs expert

- Based on the reality which is known to every informed observer, recent developments in the Syrian scene have originated, more than before, from the intervention of regional and international players, especially the US, which provided the grounds for the deviation of people’s civil rights demands towards militarism.

- Americans, who could not achieve their goals through short-term projects, have designed a long-term plan to provide the grounds for achievement of their illegitimate demands of imposing vast changes in the political structure of Syria, through a prolonged war of attrition.

- The finish line of this long-term project which has started in Syria is certainly the US presidential election, prior to which this project will not lead to the necessary ending.

- Nevertheless, recent developments and equations in Syria not only did not progress in line with the achievement of this project, but on the contrary, they have turned the page for the present regime in Syria. The domestic war of attrition, contrary to the West's expectations, has weakened the opposition.

- With the reduction of power of Syria's opposition, along with less logistic support and also the change in domestic, regional and international equations, the conditions for the central government’s military dominance over the rebels and Al-Qaeda have been provided.

- Furthermore, regional and international developments have gradually led to the disintegration of the Free Syrian Army, as one of the most important opponents of the central government of Syria, to the extent that Colonel Riad Al-Asaad, one of the commanders of the Syrian Free Army, has been forced to leave Turkey, which was main headquarters of this army.

- On this basis, regional and international players have also accepted that they have no choice but to agree to end the domestic war in Syria and all equations must move towards this direction.

- Therefore, an agreement has been made among all regional players so that national reconciliation will be created in this country and the power structure in Syria will be fundamentally reformed without widespread changes.

- Continuation of the life of Syria's Baath Party in the power structure of this country is now viewed with suspicion, as the Assads will not be able to continue their inherited rulership, hence, if domestic, regional, and international players remain committed to their agreements, the future regime in Syria must be based on fundamental reforms.

- There is no doubt that there will be a new political order in Syria in the future and the next regime in this country will have no choice but to respond appropriately to the people's demands, because, with the perseverance Bashar Assad has hitherto shown, he can finalize this matter with the help of his allies in the region, particularly the Islamic Republic of Iran.

- The Islamic Republic of Iran has commenced a new round of negotiations with the opposition which, following the first round that was held last week, has raised hopes to convince them to return to the negotiating table and have bilateral dialogue with the central government, with the help of Russia and China.

- Following the two quartet meetings in Cairo which intended to play a role in Syria's developments, I can state through accurate information that Egypt has given the Islamic Republic of Iran complete authority to provide the grounds for negotiations between the Syrian regime and the opposition.

- The Egyptians know that the outcome of continuing conflicts in Syria is disintegration, the most important consequence of which will be the spread of unrests in the region which in turn might involve Egypt.

- Furthermore, the reason that the Egyptians did not render this authority to Saudi Arabia or Turkey is that they fear the empowerment of these two countries, which might make them the leaders of the Arab world. The new Egypt has prepared itself to play a leadership role in the world of Islam and the Arab world and it cannot tolerate a rival like Saudi Arabia and Turkey, countries whose leadership could lead to an Americanized Islam and or a secular Islam governing the world.

- On this basis, the Muslim Brotherhood, which, on one side, has no harmony with the ideas of these two countries and, on the other, pursues the creation of balance between Sunnis and Shiites in the world of Islam, has given full authority to the Islamic Republic of Iran to prepare the grounds for dialogue between the supporters and opponents.