Saudi UN Envoy: Iran Has No Role in Syria Solution

Saudi ambassador to the United Nations Abdallah al-Mouallimi stressed that any discussion regarding the Syrian issue at the Geneva II conference should be "in preparation for a real political transition of power. But if this is not the goal, there will be ambiguity in the situation that is not consistent with reality."

In an interview with Al-Hayat just after Saudi Arabia was elected a non-permanent member* of the UN Security Council, Mouallimi stressed that Riyadh rejects "reducing the Syrian issue to the topic of chemical weapons," calling on the council to "deal with the issues in its entirety."

He criticized "the negative role played by Iran, which is not eligible to play an active role in peacemaking and creating a new Syria." He called on Tehran to "abandon its backing for the regime and the armed groups supporting it."

He explained that Iran's support for Hezbollah in Lebanon amounted to "interference in the affairs of Arab countries" and stressed the need for the newly elected Iranian leadership to pair "words with deeds."

Here is the text of the interview.

Al-Hayat:  You are joining the Security Council for the first time as an elected member, while you are in a battle with the UN, one aspect of which is the kingdom's decision to cancel its traditional speech before the General Assembly. Where is this path taking you?

Mouallimi:  Saudi Arabia is joining the Security Council and is in a state of full agreement with the UN.* We are a founding member and are committed to its charter. We have supported the UN's activities for the past seven decades, and continue to support them in any way we can, whether in terms of financial, moral or human support. We appreciate the significant role the UN plays in peacemaking and promoting economic and social development, given that it is the only forum that brings together all countries of the world in a single location.

Al-Hayat:  Why did you cancel your speech before the General Assembly? What was your message?

Mouallimi:  It's not appropriate to give the decision to cancel our speech more importance than necessary. First of all, canceling speeches before the General Assembly is optional. We don't need more speeches, but rather more action. Maybe we expressed this principle in practice, because we ourselves need the UN to ensure that there will be more actions, results and output. With regards to speeches and addresses, there have been many of these over the years.

Al-Hayat:  Many Saudi officials have talked about their displeasure with the state of affairs at the UN. Thus, [the decision to cancel the speech] was a political message expressed indirectly. How will you build on this message going forward?

Mouallimi:  To the best of my knowledge, no official statement has been issued by any Saudi official on this matter, so I cannot comment on this part. But our principle is clear, we want more actions from the UN and the International community, not more words.

Al-Hayat:  What actions do you want?

Mouallimi:  We want the international community to shoulder its responsibility toward the Palestinian cause — toward Jerusalem and Israeli settlements and toward the continuous provocations by the settlers. We want the international community as a whole to have a larger role in the negotiations that are currently taking place. It is unacceptable to leave this issue to the Israelis alone, allowing them to dictate their own terms and impose their desires. We also want the international community to be more effective when it comes to responding to the aspirations of the Syrian people. The international community has recently limited its attention to the chemical weapons issue. While the chemical weapons issue is important, it does not represent the essence of the problem in Syria. We want the international community to be more effective in solving international disputes and not to leave them to worsen year after year, becoming just files.

Al-Hayat:  Let's talk for a bit about the Syrian file, which has gone back to the Security Council. Currently, there is an international celebration of the resolution of the chemical issue, and you are outside the Security Council. How will you act when you become a member [of the Council]?

Mouallimi:  Saudi Arabia has never been outside of the international consensus. We agree with the idea of international legitimacy, with legitimate international decisions and with what is agreed upon by the international community. We are not necessarily removed from this context. The Syrian issue cannot be reduced to the chemical weapons issue. When we sense that it has been reduced to this, we call for widening the framework to consider the issue in all its dimensions. We do not object to this decision, but we want the international community to deal with the whole issue.

Al-Hayat:  This decision gave Syrian President Bashar al-Assad a key role as a partner in implementation. It had been said that his regime lost its legitimacy, but now he is an active partner in implementing this resolution. How are you reconsidering your strategy?

Mouallimi:  Going back to the negotiating table and reconsidering policies is a natural thing that continuously occurs. But the decision to accept or reject the Syrian leadership is up to the Syrian people. The Syrian people have spoken, and [their decision] has been confirmed by all standards and reports. The Syrian people are still insistent on a new regime that is comprehensive and free. [According to the people], the Syrian regime and those who have blood on their hands should not have a role in the [future] leadership. Thus, we stand with the Syrian people, and support their aspirations and desires. We will continue to support them in their aspirations. We maintain that the goal of any international initiative or any conference should be to prepare for a real political transition of power in Syria.

Al-Hayat:  US Secretary of State John Kerry believes it is necessary to set a date for the Geneva II conference. UN and Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi will head to the region. Will he visit you? And will you object to him visiting Iran?

Mouallimi:  I do not know if he will visit the kingdom or not. I think that this matter is first and foremost up to Mr. Brahimi. In addition, it depends on his schedule. If he wants to visit Saudi Arabia, he will find the doors open to him. The decision to visit any other country is on him, and we cannot impose conditions on where he visits.

Al-Hayat:  So you don't object to him consulting with Iran on the Syrian issue?

Mouallimi:  We want the brotherly nation of Iran to play a more positive role in this regard.

Al-Hayat:  What is this positive role, specifically?

Mouallimi:  To abandon its support for the Syrian regime.

Al-Hayat:  But we know that this will not happen.

Mouallimi:  Supporting the regime and armed elements that are fighting on its side means that Iran is not qualified to have an active role in peacemaking and creating a new Syria.

Al-Hayat:  Do you still oppose inviting Iran to Geneva II, as you were opposed to them being invited to Geneva I, where you also decided not to participate?

Mouallimi:  We are not concerned with whether or not we participate in the conference. What's important is that the Syrian people participate and achieve their aspirations.

Al-Hayat:  The Syrian National Council announced that it would not participate in the conference, and you have been accused of not using your influence with the opposition to get them to come to Geneva.

Mouallimi:  This is an accusation we do not deny. We do not use our influence with the Syrian opposition to push them in one direction or another. We [merely] help the Syrian people to achieve their aspirations. While the Syrian people are represented by their leadership — the National Coalition — we do not use our influence to push them in one direction or another.  

Al-Hayat:  President Assad said that he does not believe Geneva II will be held. Thus, for his part, he doesn't believe there is any room for Geneva II, or any indication that it will be held. There seems to be a consensus between the two opinions — your opinion and his opinion — on this matter. You continue to arm the Syrian opposition, despite the American-Russian-Iranian agreement, and despite the atmosphere that indicates a potential breakthrough in that relationship.

Mouallimi:  I'm in New York, not in an atmosphere involving armament. I'm here talking about an atmosphere of diplomatic work, within the scope of the UN. Saudi Arabia's stated and fixed position is that we call on all international parties to help the Syrian people defend themselves.

Al-Hayat:  What will be your strategy when it comes to Syrian affairs in the Security Council? Are accountability and punishment part of this strategy, knowing that you presented a draft resolution to the UN?

Mouallimi:  The draft resolution is currently in the General Assembly and is being discussed by Saudi Arabia, Arab states and some other parties.

Al-Hayat:  What does it stipulate?

Mouallimi:  Part of what it stipulates is the need to hold all those who commit war crimes or crimes against humanity accountable. This includes the use of chemical weapons in the Ghouta [region east of Damascus]. It also stipulates the need to bring all perpetrators to international justice in any form. We are committed to this. This has been called for by Arab League resolutions and in previous General Assembly resolutions. We will continue to maintain this position, both inside and outside the Security Council.

Al-Hayat:  Do you think that the reception Iran has received in the UN and in the United States will strategically affect your relations with Washington?

Mouallimi:  We were among the first to welcome the new direction taken by the Iranian leadership. Furthermore, the Saudi king was one of those who congratulated new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. The king sent senior officials to Rouhani's inauguration ceremony. Yet we hope that this new Iranian orientation will be coupled with deeds and not just words and phrases.

Al-Hayat:  And what about repairing Saudi-US relations?

Mouallimi:  The relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States is old and firmly established. It is based on common interests, values and goals.

Al-Hayat:  But there is now a strategic shift in the US position.

Mouallimi:  Do you think its possible that the United States could say Saudi Arabia is not an important country in US strategy? This is totally out of the question, even if there was a shift as you said. If you look at President Barack Obama's speech in the General Assembly, he reiterated US policy constants, which include a commitment to strategic interests and common interests shared with friendly states throughout the world — particularly in the Arab Gulf region.

Al-Hayat:  Let's talk a little bit about Egypt. You took a clear position opposed to that of the United States. How are you discussing this matter with Washington?

Mouallimi:  We discuss it by talking about defending the interests of the Egyptian people. We ask all powers in the world to respect the will of the Egyptian people, and to deal with them not as if they are a minor that needs guardianship, advice or guidance, but rather as a great nation that has a history, culture and an impressive record. Therefore, we are talking with our friends in France, the United States, Europe and throughout the world about the need to give the Egyptian people the opportunity to develop naturally and the need to allow the government to implement the road map that it has committed to and which includes specified dates. We believe that the policy of arm-twisting and imposing decisions on the Egyptian people — wherever it is coming from — will not bring about positive results in relations with Egypt and the Egyptian people.