Islamic Iran supports Syrian reforms, condemns foreign meddling

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi says Tehran supports reforms in Syria and believes the country’s crisis should be resolved by its own people.

“We believe Syria’s problems should be solved by the country’s people,” the Iranian vice president said in a joint press conference with the Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Nairobi on Tuesday.

He added that the Islamic Republic supports reforms introduced by Syrian President Bashar Assad and condemns foreign intervention in Syria and Bahrain.

Turning to the situation in Kenya, Rahimi stated that Iran believes Kenya should be a focal point in East Africa which can facilitate the development of all African countries.

“Iran has cooperated with Kenyan officials in all areas to achieve this goal and will be on the side of the African, especially Kenyan, people in all aspects,” he added.

Rahimi said Iran believes all African nations should have a high level of well-being and welfare and the situation of the suffering African people should improve.

The Iranian vice president later added that during his talks with Kenyan officials, the two sides have discussed international and regional cooperation for strengthening security, peace and friendship.

The Kenyan premier, for his part, said Tehran and Nairobi have discussed issues related to bilateral trade and decided to remarkably boost the volume of their trade in coming years.

“Both Iran and Kenya seek security in the region, including in Somalia and Sudan, and Iran’s role in promoting peace, stability and security in region and the world is effective and praiseworthy,” Odinga added.