Political approach only solution to Syria crisis: Iranian official

The Iranian deputy foreign minister for Arab and African Affairs has stressed that the ongoing crisis in Syria can be settled only through political approaches, rejecting a military approach to the unrest.

“As we have reiterated before, political approaches are the only solution to the problems in Syria, and the crisis in the country has no military or security solution,” Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said in a meeting with Omani Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yousef bin Alawi bin Abdullah in Muscat on Thursday.

Syria has been in crisis since March 2011, and many people, including large numbers of Syrian security forces, have been killed in the unrest.

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

Regarding the developments in Bahrain, the Iranian official said that the problems in the Arab country can be resolved only through negotiations between the Manama government and all Bahraini groups.

Amir-Abdollahian also warned about the growing activities of extremist Takfiri groups in the region, criticizing those who support such groups and beat the drums of sectarian and religious divisions in the Middle East.

He called on political and religious leaders to encourage moderation to rein in acts of extremism which create religious rifts in the Islamic world.

Amir-Abdollahian went on to hail as good and constructive the relations between Iran and Oman, pointing out that cooperation between the two countries has been growing in different areas.

The Omani official, for his part, highlighted the importance of constant dialog and consultations between Iran and Oman.

Bin Alawi also said that the only solution to the unrest in Syria was a halt to the violence and bloodshed, and the initiation of talks among different Syrian groups.

He further underlined that the Manama government must meet the demands of the Bahraini people.

The Bahraini uprising began in mid-February 2011. The Manama regime promptly launched a brutal crackdown on the peaceful protests and called in Saudi-led Arab forces from neighboring states.

Dozens of people have been killed in the crackdown, and the security forces have arrested hundreds, including doctors and nurses.

Bahrainis say they will continue holding demonstrations until their demand for the establishment of a democratically elected government is met.