Tehran: Iran Monday backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's new peace initiative, rejected by the Syrian opposition and the West.
"Assad's initiative includes solutions which stress end of violation and foreign interference in the country and describes a comprehensive political process which guarantees the presence of all voices in power based on the country's national charter," said Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi.
On Sunday, Assad gave a speech proposing a plan to resolve the country's crisis which includes a national reconciliation conference, the formation of a new government and an amnesty.
Iran has been a solid regional ally of Assad during the 21-month conflict in Syria which has claimed over 60,000 lives, according to the UN.
IANS
First Published: Monday, January 07, 2013, 23:41