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Diplomacy only solution to Syria crisis: Iran

Thursday, 04 February 2016 2:10 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 04 February 2016 6:12 PM ]

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif speaks during a donor conference for Syria in London, Britain, February 4, 2016. ©AFP

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says a political approach through intra-Syrian dialogue is the only solution to the crisis in Syria.

“From the beginning of the crisis in Syria we have maintained that a political resolution through inter-Syrian talks is the only way out,” Zarif said while addressing a donor conference on Syria in London on Thursday.

“We have also underlined that outside actors should facilitate such dialog and not seek to dictate its parameters or outcome,” he added.

Zarif also called for UN-brokered Syrian peace talks to resume after they were suspended on Wednesday.

“We hope that the pause in the Geneva talks is only temporary," he said.

The top Iranian diplomat said that during three rounds of international talks on Syria last year, Tehran “insisted on the imperative of an immediate ceasefire. We continue to do so.”

Zarif also said the “extent of humanitarian catastrophe” in Syria required still more to be done.

He highlighted Iran’s aid for internally displaced Syrians, saying Tehran has been regularly providing basic necessities to people there. “Iran has focused on providing aid to these internally displaced Syrians,” said Zarif.

The minister estimated Iran’s humanitarian aid at $2.8 billion so far through sending ambulances, tents, blankets and basic necessities.

Zarif further reiterated the Islamic Republic’s “readiness to engage in all efforts to bring an immediate ceasefire and to collaborate in humanitarian endeavors to alleviate the sufferings of the Syrian people.”

World leaders and officials have gathered in London to attend the conference aimed at raising $9 billion for Syria, where foreign-sponsored militancy, which began in March 2011, has claimed the lives of over than 260,000 people and displaced almost half of the country’s population.

The conference is expected to broach Syria’s humanitarian needs and discuss options for ending the country’s five-year conflict.

On the sidelines of the conference, Zarif met with a number of foreign dignitaries including United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Jordan’s King Abdullah and Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

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