Iran Welcomes Ceasefire in Syria
Speaking Saturday at a meeting in Tehran with Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem and Major General Ali Mamlouk, the head of Syria’s National Security Bureau, Rouhani warned, however, that the truce should not be turned into an opportunity for strengthening terrorist groups in the Arab country.
He further congratulated the Syrian government, army and resistant people for their recent victories against terrorism, especially in the northwestern city of Aleppo, and said the Aleppo victory had the message for terrorists that they will never be successful on their wrong path of crime and bloodshed.
The president also underlined that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always stood by the Syrian nation and will continue its support.
As for talks for an end to the civil war in Syria, Rouhani said any negotiation should be focused on the Damascus government’s sovereignty over the country and a return of stability and security to Syria.
Muallem, in this meeting thanked Iran for its all-out support for Syria and called for development of ties between the two nations.
The ceasefiretook effect across Syria at midnight on Friday. It excludes the most brutal of terror outfits operating in the Arab country, namely Daesh (ISIL) and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as al-Nusra Front.
The truce was mediated by Russia and Turkey, which respectively represented the Syrian government and the anti-Damascus militants.
It came one week after the Syrian army announced its full control over Aleppo when the last remaining militants were evacuated along with civilians from the eastern sector of the city under a truce deal mediated by Ankara and Moscow.
