Zarif Proposes Framework for Syria Solution

Local Editor

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif offered a framework for the resolution of the Syrian conflict mainly based on the non-interference of foreign players in Syrian internal affairs.

In an article published in the Lebanese daily, As-Safir, Zarif proposed a framework for resolving the crisis in Syria. He pointed to recent developments as well as the two rounds of talks on the Syrian crisis in the Austrian capital of Vienna and said glimmers of hope have emerged for an end to "one of the greatest human catastrophes in the contemporary era."

The suggested framework is based on 9 different parts which Iran considers as gateways out of the current crisis in Syria, mainly focused on the Syrian voting for their own future with no interference from foreign countries.

According to Zarif, Islamic Republic of Iran's policy is based on three principles of respect for the Syrian nation, opposition to the foreign interference and exploitation of terrorism for political means.

"Their expectation to achieve a quick military win has only led to the expansion and continuation of the crisis in Syria," he wrote.

After all, he urged for countering terrorism and progressing in negotiations and political agreement in order to end this tragic crisis.

According to the United Nations [UN], the conflict had claimed the lives of more than 250,000 people, left over one million injured and displaced more than 7.3 million Syrians internally as well as compelled over four million others to take refuge in neighboring countries.

The UN had appointed Italian-Swedish diplomat Staffan de Mistura as Special Envoy for Syria to work to bring about a solution to the conflict.

In his op-ed, Zarif further said that the first step toward resolving the Syrian crisis is establishing a ceasefire and stopping the bloodshed, and all-out international coordination to fight terrorism and extremism.

He also urged foreign players to refrain from interfering in Syrian affairs and instead facilitate Syrian-Syrian dialog. All actors should also drop ineffective policies based on exploiting terrorism and dividing terrorists into "good" and "bad," he wrote.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team