Iranian FM:

No Alternative to Rule of Law in Syria

TEHRAN (defapress)- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif underlined that the only solution to the crisis in Syria is establishment of the rule of law although it is a difficult path.

News ID: 79140

Date: 31 October 2019 - 18:51

"Returned from Geneva where I met with Russian and Turkish FMs, and UN's Geir O Pederson, on eve of the inauguration of Syria Constitutional Committee," Zarif wrote on his twitter page on Thursday.

He noted that after years of the devastating war, the path to rule of law begins, thanks to Astana process, adding, "Difficult road ahead, but no other alternative."

Zarif arrived in Geneva late on Tuesday night to take part in the foreign ministerial meeting of Astana Process talks.

He wrapped up his two-day meeting in Geneva late on Wednesday and departed for Tehran.

In a joint press conference with his Russian and Turkish counterparts in Geneva on Tuesday night, Zarif said that the role and efficiency of the Constitutional Committee in Syria must not be exaggerated, reminding that the body will have a long way ahead on the path to resolving disagreements and paving the way for realization of Syrians’ demands.

"The launch of the Constitutional Committee will happen tomorrow, and it will be a start of the long and difficult process of political settlement in Syria," Zarif said.

Zarif, along with his Russian and Turkish counterparts Sergey Lavrov and Mevlut Cavusoglu, held talks in the Astana format in Geneva where they finally issued a joint statement. They discussed the situation in Syria and the launch of the Syrian Constitutional Committee which will hold its first session on October 30.

"The international community should support political settlement of the Syrian conflict. There is no military solution to the Syrian crisis," the top Iranian diplomat said.

"It is important that this process is acceptable for Syrian people and will represent the result of their own efforts and work, and not imposed from outside," he added.

However, it is important "not to over-estimate the significance of the Constitutional Committee whose task is to improve the constitution," he noted. "There are other issues, including the humanitarian problem, the issue of prisoners and refugees, who should successfully return to their homes," he concluded.

The Iranian diplomatic chief then highlighted that Iran and Russia’s presence in Syria is upon the official invitation of Damascus and the presence will continue as long as Syrian people and government want so.

"The process of political resolution of the Syrian crisis became possible thanks to guarantors in the Astana process (Russia, Iran, Turkey) and efforts by UN Special Envoy for Syria (Geir Pedersen)," he noted.

Zarif noted the importance of the fact that “all three states insist on maintaining Syria's territorial integrity”.

"Iran is confident that Syria's territory should be controlled by the Syrian forces and government, which will bear responsibility for ensuring security in the country and along borders," he stressed.

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