Iranian FM appoints special envoy for Syria
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday appointed a special envoy for Syria despite the collapse of Tehran’s ally Bashar al-Assad.
“I hereby appoint your excellency, a distinguished and experienced diplomat at the ministry of foreign affairs, as my special representative for Syria,” Araghchi said in a letter to Mohammad Reza Rauf Sheibani.
Sheibani has previously served as deputy for the Middle East and as ambassador to Lebanon and Syria.
Iran was a staunch supporter of Assad’s regime, which was removed from power by rebel forces led by the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on December 8.
“Your Excellency has a mission to consult with all relevant parties, including friendly countries in the region, to fulfill the assigned responsibility and report the results to me regularly,” Araghchi added in the letter.
He also emphasized the territorial integrity of Syria without external interference and presence in the country.
Unlike Assad, the new Syrian authority has announced that it does not see Israel, Iran’s arch-enemy, as a foe and seeks good relations with regional and Western countries.
Syria's new foreign minister warned in December that Tehran should avoid spreading “chaos” in Syria and respect the will of Syrians.
Barbara Leaf, US assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, said in December that “Iran will have no role” in Syria after meeting the new Syrian authorities in Damascus.
“I hereby appoint your excellency, a distinguished and experienced diplomat at the ministry of foreign affairs, as my special representative for Syria,” Araghchi said in a letter to Mohammad Reza Rauf Sheibani.
Sheibani has previously served as deputy for the Middle East and as ambassador to Lebanon and Syria.
Iran was a staunch supporter of Assad’s regime, which was removed from power by rebel forces led by the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on December 8.
“Your Excellency has a mission to consult with all relevant parties, including friendly countries in the region, to fulfill the assigned responsibility and report the results to me regularly,” Araghchi added in the letter.
He also emphasized the territorial integrity of Syria without external interference and presence in the country.
Unlike Assad, the new Syrian authority has announced that it does not see Israel, Iran’s arch-enemy, as a foe and seeks good relations with regional and Western countries.
Syria's new foreign minister warned in December that Tehran should avoid spreading “chaos” in Syria and respect the will of Syrians.
Barbara Leaf, US assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, said in December that “Iran will have no role” in Syria after meeting the new Syrian authorities in Damascus.