Syrian FM welcomes Iran’s role to halt Turkish hostile policy

Damascus, Jul 3 (Prensa Latina) Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdad said on Sunday that Iran is making efforts to solve the problems resulting from Turkey's policies and threats against Syria, SANA news agency reported.

Syrian-Iranian relations are based on mutual trust consolidated over four decades, and we welcome any role played by Tehran, the head of Syrian diplomacy pointed out at a joint press briefing in Damascus with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

We trust Iran and not the other side, the foreign minister stated, and considered positive any solution leading to the Turkish forces’ withdrawal from Syrian territories, the end of hostilities and halt of Turkey’s support for terrorist groups.

Al-Mekdad noted that improving and developing relations between neighboring countries is necessary, and achieving security, stability and a sense of peace is a priority.

In turn, Amir-Abdollahian said that during the talks he told Syrian officials that his country will do its best to focus on solutions based on diplomatic means and talks.

Relations between Damascus and Ankara broke off at the start of the war in 2011, amid Syria’s accusations against Turkey for occupying parts of its territory and supporting extremist groups fighting the government.