Iran, Russia stress sustainable ceasefire in Syria

Mar 24, 2016 19:14 UTC

Iran and Russia have underlined the need for a sustainable peace in Syria as well as the significance of intra-Syrian dialog to end a foreign-backed war that has gripped the Arab country for five years.

According to Press TV, in a telephone conversation on Thursday, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy for the Middle East and Africa, discussed the latest developments in the region, including ongoing crises in Syria and Yemen.

The two diplomats highlighted unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and called for a serious campaign against terrorism.

Amir-Abdollahian and Bogdanov, who is also Russia’s deputy foreign minister, highlighted the role of Syrian people in determining the future of the country and condemned any foreign interference in Damascus’ affairs.

They also praised efforts by United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura to help end the war in the country.

During their telephone conversation, the Iranian and Russian deputy foreign ministers also expressed hope for a ceasefire in war-hit Yemen as well as delivery of humanitarian aid to the people in the impoverished Arab country.

They also warned against the growing threat of terrorism in Yemen and underlined the significance of intra-Yemeni talks.

More than 8,400 Yemenis have been killed by the Saudi airstrikes and over 2.3 million others made displaced since the start of Riyadh’s military aggression against the Arab world’s poorest country in March 2015.