Syria crisis must be settled peacefully

A senior Iranian official has called for a peaceful settlement of the crisis in Syria, saying supporters of the Arab nation, particularly Iran and Russia, are against any “military solution” to the turmoil.

“Tehran and Moscow, along with some other countries, will continue their support for Syria and reject any military…solution” to the foreign-backed violence plaguing the Arab country since 2011, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Thursday.

He further noted that Syria’s supporters emphasize the need for a “political solution” as the only way out of the turmoil in the Middle Eastern country.

“Collective regional support for the terrorism-hit states is in the interest of all countries and governments, and the Islamic Republic of Iran acts seriously, wisely and forcefully on this path,” Amir-Abdollahian said.

Iran has repeatedly expressed its opposition to any foreign meddling in Syria’s internal affairs.

On October 20, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed Moscow’s determination to continue to back the Iraqi and Syrian governments in their ongoing battle against extremism in the Middle East.

“We are continuing to aid the governments of Iraq and Syria, as well as other countries in the region in the fight against religious extremists that are fighting for power,” Lavrov said.

Reports say nearly 200,000 people have so far lost their lives and millions of others have been displaced since the outbreak of violence in Syria over three and a half years ago.

Western powers and some of their regional allies - especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey - have been supporting the militants operating in Syria.