Iranian FM warns against abrupt political change in Syria

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Ali- Akbar Salehi warned on Thursday that an abrupt political change in conflict-ridden Syria without a roadmap for managed political transition will lead only to destabilization in one of the world's most sensitive regions.

The top Iranian diplomat made the comment in an article in The Washington Post, just as his country started an international consultative meeting on Syria under the banner of "Stop Violence, National Dialogue."

"Abrupt political change without a roadmap for managed political transition will lead only to a precarious situation that would destabilize one of the world's most sensitive regions," Salehi wrote, recalling civil war in the Levant, including the 15- year Lebanese civil war, as "frightening lessons."

"Some world powers and certain states in the region need to stop using Syria as a battleground for settling scores or jostling for influence," he remarked, noting "The only way out of the stalemate is to offer Syrians a chance to find a way out themselves."

Declaring Iran "part of the solution, not the problem," the minister noted that the consultative meeting of over 20 like- minded countries in Tehran on Thursday aimed at three essential points -- ensuring an immediate cease-fire to stop the bloodshed, dispatching humanitarian aid to the Syrian people and preparing the ground for dialogue to solve the crisis, an echo of the six- point peace plan envisaged by Kofi Annan, the UN-Arab League joint envoy for Syria.

Annan has announced his intention to step down when his current mandate expires on Aug. 31.

"As part of our commitment to resolve the crisis, I also reiterate our willingness to facilitate talks between the Syrian government and the opposition and to host such a dialogue," Salehi wrote.

"Moreover, in line with Annan's six-point plan, I once again declare Iran's support for political reform in Syria that will allow the Syrian people to decide their destiny," he added.

Washington has opposed any role for Iran in settling the conflict in Syria, alleging the Islamic republic has fueled the violence there.

Saeed Jalili, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said in Damascus on Tuesday that what Syria is going through is not an internal case but a conflict between the axis of resistance and the regional and international enemies. He stressed that Iran will not allow the break-up of the resistance axis " which Syria is part of."

In his meeting with Jalili, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad reaffirmed his administration's resolution to fight "terrorism" and purge the country of "terrorists" without wavering. Enditem