August 26, 2012 (TSR) – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stressed on Sunday that his country was firm in adopting the path of resistance, noting that the scheme targeting Syria was also targeting the entire region.
Assad’s remarks were as he received the Chairman of Iran’s Shura Council’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, who affirmed that the security of Syria was Iran’s security.
“Syria is firm in adopting the resistance path, whatever was the cooperation between the Western countries and some regional states in a bid to turn Damascus from its stance.”
“What is going on in our country is not targeting Syria alone but against the entire region,” President Assad told Boroujerdi.
He stressed that the Syrian people will not allow this scheme to pass and reach its goals whatever the cost.
The talks during the meeting dealt with the brotherly relations and strategic cooperation between Syria and Iran in the various fields, according to state news agency, SANA.
BOROUJERDI’S REMARKS
For his part, Boroujerdi underscored the common interests shared between Syria and Iran, stressing that the security of Syria is Iran’s security.
He reaffirmed Iran’s continued support for Syria, government and people, on all levels and its constant consultation with Damascus regarding any initiatives proposed for getting out of the crisis in Syria, considering this an essential issue for the success of any initiative, SANA said.
“In the same way Iran suffered from terrorism and has overcome that difficult period, Syria is likewise able to do so as both countries are like steel,” Boroujerdi told President Assad.
He also stressed that that the foreign powers, no matter what level their conspiracies could reach, cannot undermine Damascus and Tehran’s resistant role in the region.
During a press conference at the Iranian Embassy in Damascus on Sunday, Boroujerdi said that his country’s initiative regarding Syria which will be presented at the NAM summit follows up on the consultative meeting held in Tehran which saw the participation of 30 countries that reject foreign intervention in Syria and believe in a political solution, with a special meeting due to be held on the sideline of the summit leading to forming a communication group.
He said that the main element in this issue is the approval of the Syrian government which welcomed dialogue as a positive preliminary step until the militant opposition and the countries supporting them decide to adopt the political solution, noting that the numbers iof those who support dialogue and a political solution are increasing each day as most countries realized that the militant actions of armed terrorist groups are futile.
Boroujerdi said that Iran is prepared to provide a suitable environment for dialogue between the Syrian government and the opposition, saying that the Iranian initiative can be launched as soon as the opposition agrees to enter dialogue, adding that the names of the opposition groups who voiced readiness for dialogue will be announced after the NAM summit.
He also reiterated his country’s opposition of the suspension of Syria’s membership in the Arab League and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, saying that these steps were prompted by US pressure.
On whether there’s coordination between Iran and the US regarding the Iranian initiative, Boroujerdi said that the US is one of the main reasons for the crisis in Syria as it worked since the beginning to direct its allies in the region towards military action against Syria. Therefore, there is no coordination with the US regarding the initiative.
He pointed out that the US provided weapons and support to terrorists in Syria, and worked to prevent Iran’s participation in the Geneva meeting, affirming that the idea of the US being able to impose its will and to achieve all its goal is erroneous.
Boroujerdi noted that Russia and China oppose the US policy against Syria, and that their use of veto at the Security Council and the presence of their fleets in the Mediterranean show their commitment to defending Syria’s independence.
He said that the main reason for trying to change the polticial structure in Syria is due to its support for resistance against Israel.
Boroujerdi pointed out that some members of the opposition who aren’t looking for politicial solutions rejected the government’s calls for withdrawing gunmen and weapons, voicing Iran’s faith in the reforms in Syria and in the fact that security and calm will help speed them up.
He affirmed that military intervention in Syria has become very unlikely after Russia and China opposed it strongly, saying that the media campaign against Syria has been exposed as negative media distorts the reality of what is happening in Syria.
On Iran’s coordination with regional countries to resolve the crisis in Syria, Boroujerdi said Iran is working to alter the Turkish policy towards Syria and that detailed talks were held in this regard.
Regarding the recent Iranian-Saudi talks which were held in Mecca, Boroujerdi hoped that Saudi Arabia would encourage armed groups to adopt the political option and abandon the militant option.
He also said that it’s possible to negotiate over forming a communication committee including Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey as per Egypt’s suggestion, affirming that any such step should be done in coordination with the Syrian government to ensure its success.
On the role of UN Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi in resolving the crisis, Boroujerdi noted that Brahimi has experience in resolving crises, and that Iran hopes that he will engage in resolving the crisis in a practical manner without being influenced by the countries who call for military action against Syria.
Regarding the abduction of Iranian visitors in Syria, Boroujerdi said that this is a humanitarian matter and a human rights issue, calling on all countries to fulfill their humanitarian obligation to help resolve this issue.
As for Israel’s threats to Iran, Boroujerdi affirmed that Israel doesn’t have the courage to carry out its threats as it knows very well the results of such stupidity, particularly after its defeat in July 2006 and the failure of its aggression against Gaza.
Earlier, Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Walid al-Moallem, had met with Boroujerdi and discussed with him the situation in Syria and the role of the anti-resistance axis foreign powers in targeting Syria’s security and stability.
On August 7th, President al-Assad met with Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Saeed Jalili, and discussed with him the solid cooperation and strategic relations between their countries and the situation in the region.
The meeting also touched upon the attempts of the Western countries and their allies in the region to strike the axis of resistance through targeting Syria by supporting terrorism in it.
