Iran's deputy FM urges US to give up wrong diplomacy on Syria

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian called on the US to stop its financial and military aids to the Syrian rebels, reiterating that the time is now ripe for Washington to change its diplomacy on Damascus. "The time has come for the US to change its wrong approach towards Syria," Amir Abdollahian said. The Iranian deputy foreign minister noted that Washington should cease its support for the armed rebels in Syria. The US said on Thursday that it would provide more military support for the Syrian rebels. Amir Abdollahian noted that such support for terrorists will only deteriorate the situation and increase insecurity both in Syria and the region. Russia has also strongly warned Washington against its growing support for terrorists. Earlier this week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the US military aid to Syrian rebels may lead to further escalation of violence in the country. Lavrov had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State John Kerry earlier on Friday. The two top diplomats discussed "situation in Syria in the context of Washington's plans to render military aid to the Syrian opposition. "Lavrov stressed that such a move could further escalate tensions in the region, while US accusations of chemical weapons use by Damascus are not supported by reliable facts," RIA Novosti reported. Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized attacks by well-armed gangs against the Syrian police, border guards, statesmen, army and the civilians being reported across the country. Thousands of people have been killed since terrorist and armed groups turned protest rallies into armed clashes. The government blames outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups for the deaths, stressing that the unrest is being orchestrated from abroad. In October 2011, calm was almost restored in most parts of the Arab state after President Assad started a reform initiative in the country, but Israel, the US and its Arab allies brought the country into chaos through every possible means. Tel Aviv, Washington and some Arab capitals have been staging various plots in the hope of increasing unrests in Syria. The US daily, Washington Post, reported in May, 2012 that the Syrian rebels and terrorist groups battling Assad's government have received significantly more and better weapons in recent weeks, a crime paid for by the Persian Gulf Arab states and coordinated by the United States. The newspaper, quoting opposition activists and US and foreign officials, reported that Obama administration officials emphasized the administration has expanded contacts with opposition military forces to provide the Persian Gulf nations with assessments of rebel credibility and command-and-control infrastructure. According to the report, material is being stockpiled in Damascus, in Idlib near the Turkish border and in Zabadani on the Lebanese border. Opposition activists who several months ago said the rebels were running out of ammunition said in May that the flow of weapons - most bought on the black market in neighboring countries or from elements of the Syrian military in the past - has significantly increased after a decision by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Persian Gulf states to provide millions of dollars in funding each month.