Iran said on Saturday it was ready to help alongside other regional countries settle the Syrian crisis.

Iran said on Saturday it was ready to help alongside other regional countries settle the Syrian crisis.

"Iran is ready to play an appropriate role in bringing stability and security in Syria" to prevent the crisis "quickly spreading to the whole region,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast was quoted as saying.

The spokesman also slammed "certain regional countries (who) believe that by arming the rebels, they can solve the Syrian crisis."

"Instead of fuelling conflicts and pushing Syria towards a civil war, these countries should use their influence to create a climate of dialogue between the government and the opposition,” Mehmanparast told the Iran newspaper.

He also reaffirmed Tehran's backing of UN-Arab league envoy Kofi Annan's plan aimed at resolving the crisis. Although it has so far failed, the plan remains "the best solution to the Syrian crisis," he said.