Syria neighbors must guard borders: Iranian deputy FM

A senior Iranian official says the most crucial requirement for the settlement of the crisis in Syria is the proper protection of the borders of the Arab country’s neighbors to cut off the supply of arms and recruitment to terrorist groups.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Friday that a genuine campaign against terrorism as well as the pursuing of a political process in Syria are also key to the resolution of the crisis.

All countries must help promote a political process in Syria, he added, stressing that it is the Syrian people who should decide for the Arab country’s future.

The Iranian diplomat made the remarks in reaction to a meeting among Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, US Secretary of State John Kerry, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir and Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu in the Austrian capital of Vienna on Friday. The four top diplomats held talks on how to end the Syrian conflict.

Amir-Abdollahian said certain sides, which have played a negative role in Syria by supporting terrorists, now need to consider playing a positive part in the crisis-hit country.

He reaffirmed Iran’s support for the United Nations’ efforts to solve the Syrian crisis and said Tehran regards as positive Moscow’s bids in the anti-terror campaign.

Amir-Abdollahian said while continuing its consultations with the European Union and regional countries, Iran stresses the importance of focusing on realistic political approaches in Syria.

The foreign-sponsored conflict in Syria, which flared in March 2011, has claimed the lives of more than 250,000 people and left over one million injured, according to the United Nations.

In recent weeks, Syrian armed forces have made a series of new gains in the fight against the Takfiri militants. Reports say large numbers of Daesh terrorists are abandoning the ranks of the extremist group amid the advances of government troops.

The Russian aerial campaign against the militants in Syria, which started in late September, has contributed to the Syrian army’s counter-terror military operations in several parts of the Arab country.