Backing for Diplomacy on Syria Crisis

An Iranian official reiterated the Islamic Republic's stand on the importance of finding a solution to the crisis in Syria, saying Tehran welcomes any diplomatic initiative in this regard.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran regards political talks as the only way to settle and end conflicts in Syria and welcomes any measure in this regard," said Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Iranian parliament speaker's special advisor on international affairs. Amir-Abdollahian was speaking in a meeting with Mauritanian head of Iran-Mauritania Parliamentary Friendship Group Med ould Ahmed ould Vall in Tehran on Sunday, Press TV reported.

He added that the creation of conflicts and rifts among Muslim countries "is in line with the policies of the Zionist regime [of Israel] and certain international players." Syria has been hit by deadly militancy, which Damascus blames on some western countries and their regional allies, since March 2011.

The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura has put the death toll from the conflict at between 300,000 and 400,000, respectively. This is while the UN has stopped its official casualty count in the Arab country, citing its inability to verify the figures it receives from various sources. Amir-Abdollahian stressed the importance of improving political, economic and cultural relations between Iran and African countries, particularly Mauritania.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran attaches special importance to developing and strengthening relations with African countries in different fields," he said.

The Mauritanian parliamentarian said enemies of the Muslim world have always sought to sow sectarian division among religious groups, adding that Muslim countries must remain vigilant and thwart hostile plots. He said Iran is an important and influential country in the region and the Muslim world in general, and noted that Mauritania is keen to develop ties with Muslim states, particularly Iran.