Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian expressed Tehran's “unwavering support” for the Syrian government. Amir-Abdollahian made the declaration during a meeting with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman on Sunday. Sleiman called for non-interference in the internal affairs of Syria by other countries.
“The Islamic Republic will strongly support the government and nation of Syria as a country (standing) in the line of resistance against the Zionist regime (Israel), and will not permit foreign interference to determine Syria’s fate. The country’s destiny should be shaped by its people,” said Amir-Abdollahian in a separate meeting with his Lebanese counterpart. [IRNA, 2 April].
Amir-Abdollahian also met with Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Free Patriotic Movement Michel Aoun and the representatives of Palestinian groups and parties during his visit to Beirut.
The unwavering support of the Syrian government during its brutal suppression of the opposition, as well as forming an alliance with certain political parties such as Hezbollah and FPM who are also working against the opposition in Syria are apparently not considered interference in internal affairs of the country.
The regime sees it as its duty to turn arab problems to iranian problmens and let the iranian people pay the price for it ...
ReplyDeleteThe Saudis have made no secret its desire to funnel arms to the Syrian opposition. It looks like this whole nightmarish situation might not only turn into a civil war within Syria but a proxy war between the regional rivals, in a manner latently similar to how Saudi Arabia and Nasser's Egypt supported the opposing sides in the Yemeni Civil War in the 1960's.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it interesting, Iraq lined up 100% with Iran in support of Syria at the "friends conference," against arming the largely Salafi rebel force.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the newest war in MENA.
correction on my last sentence, I meant to open by stating "Saudi Arabia has made no secret its desire to funnel arms to the Syrian opposition."
ReplyDeleteMark, could you add a citation to that statement?
I don't believe Iraq's position is of fully supporting Iran in its blatant support for Assad, from what I've heard from Maliki is that his position is one of opposing the arming of the opposition as he believes that the Syrian regime won't fall, I don't think that necessarily means he's 100% behind Iran in its direct support of the Assad regime.
That being said I'm not disputing your point I'm just curious from where are you basing your statement that Iraq has lined up 100% with Iran on this regional issue.
Cheers.