Iran can help resolve Syrian crisis: UN chief

crisis.
Mr Ban expressed hope that Iran’s rotating presidency of Nam will lead to further co-operation of Nam with the United Nations in dealing with the international issues.
“Now that Iran has assumed presidency of the Nam, I know that the country and its people can play a bigger role in the international community and have further cooperation with the UN,” Mr Ban said at a Press conference after his meeting with Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.
He added that Iran would play much beneficial role in resolving the existing issues in the international community and the Middle-East.
“I am here to tell the Iranian authorities that Iran can play an important role in the peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis,” Mr Ban said.
Speaking to reporters upon arrival at Tehran’s International Mehrabad Airport, the UN top diplomat informed the media that the crisis in Syria and regional issues are the main topic of his upcoming talks with senior Iranian officials in Tehran.
The UN chief noted Iran’s key role in the settlement of the Syrian crisis, and said, “During my visit to Tehran, I plan to meet with senior Iranian officials, including the country’s leaders, in this regard.”
Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani yesterday called on the Secretary-General to prevent the bullying powers’ mischievous actions in the region, cautioning that their antagonistic efforts have cost the region much as they have stirred tensions and problems in a number of regional countries, especially in Syria.
“At present, what we see in the region is the result of certain countries’ adventurism; of course I have expressed my concerns over the issues and events in Syria (in talks with Mr. Ban Ki-moon),” Larijani said at a joint press conference after meeting the UN Chief in Tehran yesterday.
“God willing, M. Secretary-General will show a more active presence in these fields and will not allow the bullying powers to create chaos and tumult in the region,” he added.
Larijani also voiced concern about the situation in Bahrain, and said people are demanding a restoration of their rights, including the right to determine their fate through democratic processes.
He asked for the materialisation of the Bahraini people’s right, specially their right of voting.
Anti-government protesters have been holding peaceful demonstrations across Bahrain since mid-February 2011, calling for an end to the Al Khalifa dynasty’s over-40-year rule.
Violence against the defenseless people escalated after a Saudi-led conglomerate of police, security and military forces from the Persian Gulf Co-operation Council member states — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar — were dispatched to the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom on March 13, 2011, to help Manama crack down on peaceful protestors. — Fars/Xinhua.