Iran’s Foreign Ministry Deputy for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian stressed political solution as the only way to settle crisis in Syria.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Deputy for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian stressed political solution as the only way to settle crisis in Syria.

During a meeting with the visiting Swiss deputy foreign minister on Monday Abdollahian said Tehran supported the Geneva talks which are held upon a United Nations initiative.

He discussed with the visiting Swiss official the latest developments in the region including situation in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

Abdollahian said Iran backed Bashar al-Assad as the legitimate president of Syria and regarded Syrians as the sole owners of the country who have the right to determine their future far from terrorists’ pressures and foreign meddling.

Referring to the growing number of terrorist groups in the region which are interconnected across Syria and Iraq, he said the international alliance against ISIL has failed to take any effective measures in this regard.

He also stressed that Iran welcomed establishment of a ceasefire in Yemen as well as political dialogue and highlighted the importance of anti-terrorism moves in the country.

The Swiss official termed as important Iran’s role in settling the crisis in Syria. The official stressed the need for political dialogue as the only solution to the Syrian crisis and said establishment of a ceasefire based on Geneva political talks was a must.