A senior advisor to the Leader described foreign intervention as the main factor which has destabilized Syria.
Ali Akbar Velayati, director of the Center for Strategic Research of the Expediency Council, made the remarks in a meeting with the foreign policy spokesperson for the co-ruling Social Democratic Party of Germany, Niels Annen, in Tehran on Sunday.
"Foreign intervention is the chief reason behind the failure (of efforts) to achieve stability and peace in Syria," IRNA quoted him as saying.
He continued, "The Syrian government should stand up to terrorists and their supporters who have various nationalities."
Velayati stated, "As the first step toward bringing peace to Syria, foreign forces should leave the country, and then next steps can be taken to work toward effective solutions based on the nation's will to establish peace and stability."
He described the so-called Islamic State (IS) terrorist group as one of the greatest threats to regional and international security.
Elsewhere, he referred to Tehran-Berlin relations and said, "Iran and Germany enjoy good and friendly relations and exchange of delegations at various levels can help boost expansion of cooperation."
