Iran presents UN-Arab League envoy written proposal on Syria

The UN-Arab League envoy for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on the Syrian crisis in Tehran on Sunday, Mehr reported.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Salehi announced that Iran has already presented Brahimi a "written proposal" on the Syrian issue.

He added that a copy of the proposal has also been presented to the Syrian government.

Salehi stated that he had held two meetings with Brahimi: the first time during a contact group meeting in Cairo when the foreign ministers of Iran, Egypt, and Turkey held talks on Syria, and the second time on the sidelines of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

"We held detailed negotiations on the Syrian issue on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and once again, today we exchanged views in a detailed way about the issues related to Syria."

He added that when the ministers of the contact group met for the second time in New York, he promised that he would present Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and also Brahimi Iran's written proposals.

He went on to say that like any other nation, the Syrian people have the right to freedom and free elections and the Syrian government has repeatedly said that it is ready to meet the demands of its people and even announced that "if it is necessary, it will revise certain decisions made in the past."

Salehi also said that Iranian officials and Brahimi believe that "the violence and bloodshed should be stopped" in Syria before taking any action.

He added that Brahimi is making a tour of regional countries to learn about different views to be able to finally present a solution to the Syrian crisis.

"I also announced that the Islamic Republic of Iran is fully ready to cooperate with him" because the United Nations, by selecting Brahimi as its troubleshooter, has put itself in an impartial status in regard to Syria.

During the press conference, Brahimi called on the countries that have good relations with either of the conflicting parties in Syria to exercise their influence to prevent more bloodshed and help work out a peaceful solution.

He expressed hope that his contact with Iran and other regional countries that are in a way related to the Syrian issue would lead to a workable solution.

Commenting on Iran's written proposal, Brahimi said that the views are good and can help resolve the problem.

The UN Syria envoy also held talks with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday.