Syrian FM hails Iran's stances on regional issues

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem in a meeting with Iran's new Ambassador to Damascus Mohammad Reza Sheibani lauded Tehran for its wise stances on regional issues, specially the recent developments in Syria.During the meeting on Monday, the Syrian top diplomat announced that his country holds reservations on the Arab League's recent statement that calls for talks between the Syrian government and opposition forces to take place within 15 days, following months of unrest and proposes the two sides meet for talks at the League's headquarters in Cairo. He also underlined implementation of the reforms agreed by the Syrian people and leaders away from foreign pressures. Sheibani, for his part, expressed the hope that Syria can pass through the current crisis through sympathy, companionship and talks between the government and people and through implementation of reforms in the country. Earlier this week, a prominent retired Lebanese General and political analyst had also said that Syria is now moving towards tranquility and stability, which means that Washington's interfering policies have failed to undermine Bashar Assad's government. Speaking to FNA, Amin Hatit pointed to the decline in the number of unrests in Syria in recent weeks, and said that the Syrian government is now in full control over developments and the country is moving towards full calm and tranquility. "The US interfering policies in Syrian affairs have sustained a heavy defeat because Washington had pinned much hope on its plots for toppling the Syrian ruling system," Hatit stated. Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March with organized attacks by well-armed gangs against Syrian police forces and border guards being reported across the country. Hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, have been killed, when some protest rallies turned into armed clashes. The government blames outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups for the deaths, stressing that the unrest is being orchestrated from abroad. But, calm was eventually restored in the Arab state after President Bashar al-Assad started a reform initiative in the country.