Spokesman Hits Back at UAE Minister for Anti-Iran Remarks

TEHRAN (defapress) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi decried anti-Tehran remarks made by the United Arab Emirates’ foreign minister as “untrue and illusory”.

News ID: 65778

Date: 30 August 2017 - 18:21

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Qassemi slammed UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who accused the Iranian and Turkish authorities of weakening the sovereignty of Syria, saying the comments are "untrue, unconstructive and illusory”.

Unfortunately, Abu Dhabi has created many problems in the region in recent years through adopting adventurous policies, like its participation in the oppressive war and bloodshed in Yemen, its attempts to occupy parts of the territory of Yemen and the intervention in Libya, the spokesman noted.

He further emphasized that the UAE had better stop pursuing such "destructive and ineffective” policies.

Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with various terrorist groups, including Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL), currently controlling parts of it.

In the meantime, Iran has remained a close ally of Syria and supports its legitimate government in the face of foreign-backed militancy.

Diplomatic efforts to end fighting in Syria have gained momentum in recent weeks with the announcement of a ceasefire in the Arab country in early January.

The truce was negotiated between Russia, Iran, Turkey, the Damascus government and the Syrian opposition.