Iran denounces US conspiracy against Syria

Tehran Jan 17 (IANS) The Iranian President said on Tuesday that the US government s initiative to create a largely Kurdish border force in northeastern Syria is aimed at undermining the country s territorial integrity.

Hassan Rouhani made the comment during a meeting in Tehran with Syrian parliament speaker Hammouda Sabbagh Efe reported.

"The plot that the Americans recently have in mind for Syria is against international regulations and a conspiracy (against) the territorial integrity and the security of Syria and the region " Rouhani said according to a statement released by his office.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and Washington hope to create a force of 30 000 fighters that will be deployed along the borders of the self-proclaimed Kurdish autonomous region in Syria.

Iran s foreign ministry labelled the US/Kurdish plan as a "clear intervention" in the internal affairs of Syria.

The initiative "makes the Syrian crisis more complicated creates more instability and fans the flames in that country " ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said.

Qasemi pointed out Iran Russia and Turkey are pursuing a solution to the Syrian conflict through peace talks in Astana and the creation of de-escalation zones.

Russia and Turkey along with the government in Damascus have also criticized the US/Kurdish plan.

Iran has backed President Bashar al-Assad s government since the beginning of the conflict in Syria providing military advisers and militiamen for the Syrian army s struggle against terrorists and the armed opposition.

--IANS
ahm/