Tehran, Iran, October 31
By Mehdi Sepahvand -- Trend:
Iran would support elections to clarify the fate of Syria if the elections are free and fair, because what is important is the choice of people and this is their right, spokesman of the Iranian Front of Followers of Imam and Line of Leadership rightwing party Kamal Sajjadi said.
Foreign pressure to keep or dismiss President Bashar Assad is not a favorite of Iran, he told Trend October 31.
He stated that Iran's positions on Syria are logical, therefore constant. "Our positions are strategic and won't change overnight," Sajjadi stressed.
He also pointed to recent remarks by Deputy Foreign Minister for African and Arab Affairs Hossein Amirabdullahian dismissing claims that Iran has agreed with a six-month transition plan for Syria.
Amirabdullahian said a day earlier that the Islamic Republic has not changed its policy in Syria as a fresh round of international talks started on October 30 to find a solution to the Syria crisis.
"There has been no change in the Islamic Republic of Iran's supportive policies on Syria," the diplomat said.
"Those who intend to cross Bashar Assad must know quite well that within the framework of political process, only the Syrian people decide about their future," Amirabdollahian reiterated.
The fact that Iran has been invited to the Vienna talks on Syria indicates that world powers have recognized Iran's traditional influence in Syria, which dates back to the time of former president Hafiz Assad, Sajjadi said.
He added that since countries such as Russia and Iraq support Iran's position on Syria, the Islamic Republic enjoys greater chances of laying a mark on the ongoing talks.
Iran has been great help to Assad against belligerent groups. Tehran says it provides the Syrian Army with military consultation, maintaining, however, that a final solution to the Syrian crisis has to be political.