Envoy Calls on Turkish Media to Avoid Hampering Tehran-Ankara Ties
News number: 9202244030 19:03 | 2013-05-25
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9202244030

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Ambassador to Ankara Alireza Bigdeli urged Turkish
newspapers to avoid publishing articles which are deemed as harmful to
Tehran-Ankara ties.

The Turkish newspaper Today's Zaman published the Iranian ambassador to
Ankara's statements in its online version.

Bigdeli's remarks came after certain Turkish newspapers had published
unfounded news reports on Iran's military presence in Syria.

"I urge the Turkish media to consider all aspects of the issues while
covering news on Syria," the Iranian envoy to Ankara said.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia-Pacific Affairs Seyed Abbas Araqchi
during his recent visit to Ankara categorically denied claims about Tehran's
military presence in Syria, and stated, "Iranian forces have never been, and
are not present in Syria, and I deny this claim."

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi today categorically
denied unfounded reports on Iran's military presence in Syria, stressing
that Tehran only supports consolidation of peace and tranquility in Syria
and the region.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has not and will not dispatch military forces
to Syria," Vahidi underscored on Saturday.

He added that Iran's peace-seeking policy for stronger peace and tranquility
in the region has prevented a blood bath in Syria.

Iran has always underlined the need for a diplomatic solution to the Syrian
problem, and has recently intensified its diplomatic efforts to end the
ongoing crisis in Syria.

Tehran will be hosting the meeting of the Friends of Syria in late May in a
bid to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing crisis in the Muslim country.

Representatives of a number of foreign countries and international
organizations will take part in the upcoming friends of Syria meeting in the
Iranian capital.

Earlier, Iran's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mohammad
Khazayee said that the 'Friends of Syria' conference which will be held in
Iran's capital city later in May will try to find a peaceful and practical
solution to the Syrian crisis.

Khazayee reiterated in a statement that the friends of Syria meeting slated
for May 29 also proves the Islamic Republic's key role in this peaceful
approach.

He said Iran believes the upcoming meeting could pave the way for further
coordination among the countries which are Syria's true friends to help the
country overcome the crisis.

He hoped the meeting could result in working out of a practical solution to
the Syrian crisis.