UNITED NATIONS (Dispatches) -- Iran and Russia have underlined the need to purge terrorists from their last major stronghold in Syria despite threats from the U.S. and its allies to attack the Syrian government if it launches an offensive.
Iran’s Ambassador to the UN Gholamali Khoshroo defended the counter-terrorism fight in Idlib Province, saying it is part of the procedure to restore security to the war-torn state.
Iran, Russia and Turkey, the three guarantor states of the Syria peace process, believe that civilians should be taken into account in the Idlib liberation operation, he added.
Khoshroo said dialogue is the only way to resolve the Syria crisis, adding last week’s summit in Tehran affirmed the Syrian people’s right to determine their own fate.
He further warned against attempts by certain states to stage a false-flag chemical attack in Syria and blame it on the government of President Bashar al-Assad in order to launch attacks on the Arab country.
The latest "fake” news on the possible use of chemicals by the Syrian government is nothing more than a scenario to justify another Western military aggression against the country, the Iranian envoy noted.
Touching on Iran’s military advisory mission in Syria, Khoshroo said that the Islamic Republic is fighting terrorism at the request of the Damascus government.
On the contrary, he said, the U.S. military presence in Syria is illegal and violates the UN Charter.
The Security Council met at Russia’s request to brief the 15-member body on the outcome of the Tehran summit, which was attended by the Iranian, Russian and Turkish presidents.