‘Global powers define terrorism, democracy based on interests’

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Saeed Jalili says world powers define terrorism and democracy based on their interests.

“For some powers fighting terrorism is not important, but protecting their interests is essential and therefore, in some regions, they create crisis centers,” Jalili said on Wednesday.

He added that the approach taken by these powers to the Afghanistan issue in the past years and to the Syria crisis over the past two years testifies to this claim.

“Why is it that after 10 years of the occupation of Afghanistan by American and NATO forces, terrorism as well as production and smuggling of illicit drugs have not been uprooted?”

The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror, removing the Taliban from power. More than a decade later, insecurity is rising across the country despite the presence of thousands of foreign troops.

Commenting on the ongoing crises in Syria and Bahrain, the Iranian official described democracy as the “most sustainable solution” to crises in these countries.

“Regional cooperation is necessary to guarantee peace and stability in the region,” Jalili added.

Syria has been scene of deadly unrest since March 2011 which has claimed the lives of thousands of Syrians including a large number of Syrian soldiers and security forces.

Also in Bahrain, people have been holding anti-government demonstrations since mid-February 2011, calling on the US-backed Al Khalifa family to leave power.