Iran hopeful about political solution to Syria crisis

Iran is hopeful about a political solution to the crisis in Syria, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said, Press TV reported on Tuesday.

Political talks between the Syrian government and the opposition have entered a "new phase" as the two sides are set to resume indirect negotiations in the Swiss city of Geneva on Wednesday, Amir-Abdollahian said.

"We are happy that we are approaching a political settlement of the crisis in Syria and we hope that all regional and international sides will take fundamental and important steps on the two paths of fighting terrorism seriously and strengthening the political process," he was quoted as saying.

He also expressed hope that all regional and international parties would stop taking "conflicting measures" which would be beneficial neither to Syria nor to the Syrians.

The last round of the UN-backed peace talks for Syria came to a halt on March 24 over disagreements on the role of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria's future.

Iran has said that it would not accept the ouster of al-Assad from the power before the next presidential elections in the country.

"Iran believes that the government of al-Assad should remain in power until the end of his presidency term and the removal of Assad is a redline for us," Ali Akbar Velayati, the advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on international affairs, said on Sunday.

Iran has emerged as a staunch regional ally of Syria in the country's long-lasting conflict, and has said that its military advisors provide assistance to Syria in its fight against terrorism.

Source: XINHUA