Iran’s FM Zarif Urges Unconditional Humanitarian Aid for Syria
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called for immediate humanitarian aid for the Syrian people without any preconditions or political motives, describing ceasefire as a top priority in the Arab country.
Addressing the second Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region, held in Belgium on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Zarif said if the relief aid for Syria is provided “on humanitarian grounds and without preconditions or political motives”, it will improve the situation of the homeless and displaced people and will also contribute to the peaceful settlement of crisis.
“Keeping ceasefire in Syria must remain as our overriding priority,” Zarif added, saying the efforts by Iran, Russia and Turkey –the three guarantors of ceasefire reached in the Astana peace process- proved that the crisis in Syria could be settled only within the framework of a genuine and inclusive political process which is decided by the Syrian people and respects Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He further condemned the unilateral military actions against Syria under the pretext that chemical attacks have taken place there, saying such foreign interference impedes the peace process and only aggravates the situation.
Zarif finally highlighted Iran’s constant humanitarian supports for the Syrian refugees and displaced people in recent years, saying Tehran has already started cooperation for the reconstruction of Syria and is ready to work with the others in this process.
The Iranian minister joined top diplomats in Brussels on Wednesday for the Syrian conference hosted by the European Union and co-chaired by the United Nations.
On Saturday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani assured his Syrian counterpart of the Islamic Republic’s support for the Arab country in the process of post-war reconstruction
A civil war that broke out in Syria in March 2011 turned into a large-scale militancy that included various mercenaries and terrorist groups, most notably Daesh (ISIL).
According to reports, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 470,000 people, injured 1.9 million others, and displaced nearly half of the country’s pre-war population of about 23 million within or beyond its borders.
Throughout these years, Iran has remained a close ally of Syria and supported its government in the face of foreign-backed militancy.
