Iranian Diplomat Stresses Diplomatic Solution to Problems in Syria

A senior Iranian diplomat underlined the necessity for finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Syria, and said all involved parties have come to this conclusion.

Iranian Ambassador to Beirut Qazanfar Roknabadi said on Wednesday that that ever since 22 months ago the military engagements in Syria have yielded no tangible fruit and the solution for this crisis must be diplomatic.

“Now everyone has come up with the solution that we had as of beginning emphasized upon, and that is providing for a dialogue comprised of everyone, including the opponents and the proponents,” he added

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized attacks by well-armed gangs against Syrian police forces and border guards being reported across the country.

The US and its western and regional allies have long sought to topple Assad and his ruling system. Media reports said that the Syrian rebels and terrorist groups have received significantly more and better weapons in recent weeks, a crime paid for by the Persian Gulf Arab states and coordinated by the United States.

The US daily, Washington Post, reported in May that the Syrian rebels and terrorist groups battling the President Bashar al-Assad’s government have received significantly more and better weapons in recent weeks, a crime paid for by the Persian Gulf Arab states and coordinated by the United States.

The newspaper, quoting opposition activists and US and foreign officials, reported that Obama administration officials emphasized the administration has expanded contacts with opposition military forces to provide the Persian Gulf nations with assessments of rebel credibility and command-and-control infrastructure.

Opposition activists who several months ago said the rebels were running out of ammunition said in May that the flow of weapons – most bought on the black market in neighboring countries or from elements of the Syrian military in the past – has significantly increased after a decision by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Persian Gulf states to provide millions of dollars in funding each month.