Iran, Syria urge serious measures to uproot terrorism

Iran and Syria have stressed the importance of countering the root causes of terrorism and extremism without pursuing political approaches.

In a meeting in New York on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Moualem described the spread of threats and crimes by terrorist groups in the region as a “serious and urgent” problem.

The two ministers also exchanged views about the latest regional and international developments and certain issues of mutual interest.

Syria has been gripped by deadly conflict since 2011 with ISIL Takfiri terrorists currently controlling parts of it mostly in the east. More than 191,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

The Western powers and their regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey -- are reportedly supporting the militants operating inside Syria.

In another meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se on the sidelines of the 69th annual session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Friday, Zarif said Iran calls for the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction in the world.

“We seriously believe that nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction will not improve security,” Zarif said.

The South Korean minister, for his part, said Seoul calls for closer cooperation with Tehran.

He added that Iran has a leading position in the region and said the exchange of visits and views between the two countries on different regional developments would play an effective role in Tehran-Seoul ties.