No military solution to Syria crisis: Iran ambassador

The Iranian ambassador to Italy says there is no military solution to crisis in Syria, reiterating Tehran’s support for a diplomatic solution to the spiraling unrest in the Arab state.

“Regional and international efforts should be focused more than ever on finding a political solution based on dialogue and acceptance of responsibility,” Ambassador Seyyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini said in an interview with Italy’s state radio on Friday.

Emphasizing the need for a halt to foreign interference in Syria, the ambassador stated that the financial and military support provided by some countries to the extremist groups and terrorists operating in Syria is the main cause of concern for regional and transregional countries.

“Unfortunately, the extent and depth of unrest and destruction of infrastructures [in Syria] are on the rise and neighboring countries are exposed to insecurity spillover risk,” the Iranian ambassador added.

On Monday, the al-Qaeda-inspired Islamic State of Iraq network announced merger with Syria’s foreign-backed and terrorist al-Nusra Front to play an even greater role in the Syrian conflict.

The West has been widely criticized for its double standard when it comes to dealing with terrorist groups.

While al-Qaeda-linked groups have been listed as terrorist entities under sanctions by the United Nations, militants in Syria, including those belonging to the al-Nusra Front, have been receiving all forms of support from the West.

The unrest in Syria began in March 2011, and many people, including large numbers of soldiers and security personnel, have been killed in the violence.

The Syrian government says that the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the militants are foreign nationals.