Iran and Qatar count on ‘friendly’ relations with Syria

Iran announced on Sunday that it hopes to continue its “friendly” relations with Syria after the fall of Tehran ally President Bashar Al-Assad. “Relations between the two countries have a long history and have always been friendly,” said the Foreign Ministry in the Iranian capital. “These relations are expected to continue.”

Qatar, meanwhile, confirmed on Sunday that it stands by the Syrian people and their choices. It stressed “the need to preserve national institutions and the unity of the state in a way that prevents it from slipping into chaos.” The Foreign Ministry in Doha issued its statement after the Syrian opposition announced the overthrow of the Assad regime.

“We are following the developments in Syria with great interest,” confirmed the ministry. It reiterated its call for an end to the Syrian crisis in accordance with international resolutions and Security Council Resolution 2254, in a way that achieves the interests of the Syrian people and preserves the unity, sovereignty and independence of the country.

The UN Security Council passed Resolution 2254 regarding the start of peace talks and the need for a political solution to the situation in Syria on 18 December, 2015.

“All parties should adopt dialogue in a way that stops the bloodshed of the people of a single nation,” added Qatar, “preserves the state’s national institutions, ensures a better future for the Syrian people, and achieves their aspirations for development, stability and justice.”

The Syrian opposition factions entered Damascus on Sunday morning and took control. Regime forces withdrew from public institutions and streets, thus ending the 61-year rule of the Baath Party and 53 years of the Assad dynasty regime.

Assad’s downfall has been a long time coming, but the end came swiftly. Fighting broke out on 27 November between the Syrian regime forces and opposition factions in the west of Aleppo Governorate, during which the factions were able to extend their control over the city of Aleppo and Idlib Governorate. In the following days, they took control of the cities of Hama, Daraa, Suwayda, Homs and, finally, Damascus.

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