Iran urges UN to remain impartial in Syria crisis

A senior Iranian diplomat has warned of humanitarian, security and political repercussions of the ongoing crisis in Syria, saying the United Nations must fulfill its obligation and remain impartial in the Arab country’s conflict.

“It is very important that the United Nations, which holds an international status, remain impartial in [adopting] any measure about the Syrian developments and the country’s crisis, and fulfill its essential duty to maintain global peace, stability and security,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari said after a meeting with the UN special envoy on Syria, Staffan de Mistura, in Tehran on Saturday.

He added that the UN needs to pay heed to all aspects of the Syrian crisis, dispatch immediate humanitarian aid to the crisis-hit people, adopt strategies to effectively fight terrorism and prepare the ground for the Syrians to determine their own future.

He said that he held “good and serious” talks with the UN envoy on the latest humanitarian situation in Syria and regional and international efforts to help solve the crisis in the country.

Jaberi Ansari added that he also held discussions with de Mistura about “the political and field developments that have recently taken place at regional and international levels.”

He expressed hope that the regional and international developments would lay the ground for the UN to take more effective measures with the purpose of restoring security and peace to Syria and solving the country’s crisis through talks.

The UN envoy arrived in Tehran on Saturday at the invitation of Jaberi Ansari to discuss the ongoing conflict in Syria.

Since his appointment as the UN envoy for Syria, de Mistura has traveled to Iran, a supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, several times and held talks with Iranian officials. He last visited Iran in April. 

The emissary regularly travels to regional countries to help bring about convergence that could pave the way for the resolution of the Syrian conflict. Earlier in the month, he met with the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, in Brussels.

Since 2011, Syria has found itself in the clutches of implacable foreign-backed militancy, which has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions throughout the country.

In two letters sent to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the world body’s Security Council on Thursday, Syria’s Foreign and Expatriates Ministry recounted the crimes perpetrated against the country by the terrorist groups which enjoy the support of Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar. The ministry said terrorism would only be eradicated if sponsors dropped their support for the militants.

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