Iran can help Annan defuse Syrian crisis

08 April 2012 | 03:48 Code : 1899750 Latest Headlines
TEHRAN, April 8 (MNA) – Indian Ambassador to the United Nations has said that the Islamic Republic of Iran can help Kofi Annan, the UN-Arab League joint special envoy on Syria, in its efforts to defuse the crisis in the Arab country.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a great regional power, can help Annan resolve the situation in Syria, Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri told IRNA correspondent in New York on Saturday.

“The members of the UN Security Council will ask Iran and expect it to help Kofi Annan, the UN special envoy for Syrian affairs, to restore peace and security in the country given the good relations it has with Syria,” said Puri, according to a translation of his remarks.

He also stated that Annan has counted on Iranian officials to help him alleviate the crisis in Syria.

The Indian ambassador added that Tehran can encourage the Syrian government to cooperate more with the relevant international organizations.

In addition, Puri said that the UN and other governments are well aware of the important role that Iran can play in improving the situation in Syria.

Annan will travel to Iran because of this very fact, he added.

Annan, the former UN secretary general will visit Iran on April 11.

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, in a meeting with Faisal Meqdad, the Syrian president’s special envoy, on March 28, said that Tehran is ready to help implement the six-point plan reached between Syria and Annan.

Annan’s six-point plan has called for a UN-supervised ceasefire by all parties, withdrawal of soldiers and heavy weapons from cities, and delivery of humanitarian aid.