Iran's envoy warns UN against west's new plot for Syria

Iran's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mohammad Khazayee cautioned the UN against a new plot by some western countries which seeks to pave the way for granting Damascus' seat to the Syrian opposition coalition outside Syria."The efforts of certain western governments, France in particular, in this respect would be nothing but a blow to the foundations and principles of the United Nations," Khazayee said.Earlier this week, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian described the Arab League's decision to grant Damascus' seat to the Syrian opposition coalition outside Syria as an "improper move", saying that the measure merely serves the interests of the western countries.Amir Abdollahian made the remarks in a meeting with Head of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq Ammar al-Hakim here in Tehran on Thursday."Granting Syria's seat in the Arab League to a group that doesn't have the nation's direct vote is an improper measure," Amir Abdollahian said.Russia vowed on Thursday to oppose an expected push by the Syrian opposition to take over Syria's seat at the United Nations and predicted that any Syrian National Coalition bid at the world body would fail.Russia's Ambassador to UN Vitaly Churkin made the remarks to reporters after Moscow criticized the Arab League for giving Syria's seat to the opposition at a league summit.Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Arab League had abandoned hope for a peaceful end to Syria's 2-year civil war.Russia is a member of the 9-nation UN credentials committee, as is the United States. That committee reviews requests to accredit diplomats to the UN and makes recommendations to the General Assembly.