Syria Today | ria ready to mediate between Iran and the West

Syria ready to mediate between Iran and the West

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Mu’allem said Damascus can mediate between Iran and the West to settle their disputes, including that surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme. Mu’allem made the comments at a joint press conference with the British Foreign Secretary David Miliband in London on July 24.

“We support a political solution for issues standing between Iran and the West,” Mu’allem said. “For that, we believe we can play a role, but we cannot take decisions on behalf of Iran. They have to take their decisions according to their interests.”

The West accuses Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran rejects the allegation and defends its right to develop civilian nuclear power.

Also speaking at the conference, Miliband said Syria was in a “unique position” to “influence” Iranian policy choices. “There will never be a better opportunity for Iran to assume an appropriate place in the community of nations,” he said. “I think it’s very, very important that we make clear to the Iranian authorities the significance... of the policy choices that the new government makes, because there is a very clear offer on the table in respect of its nuclear, but also its wider regional perspectives.”

Miliband also said that Britain “looked forward to the day when Israel and Syria can restart direct talks. Mu’allem repeated Syria’s position that direct talks could only begin when Israel accepts the “principle” of handing back all of the Golan Heights. “We want withdrawal of Israel from the Golan up to the 1967 boundaries,” he said.

Both Mu’allem and Miliband expressed reservations about a French proposal for a new international conference on the Middle East.