TEHRAN, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said here on Sunday that his government is committed to implementing the peace plan put forward by UN-Arab League joint envoy to Syria Kofi Annan.
Muallem made the remarks at a press conference held jointly with his Iranian counterpart Ali-Akbar Salehi during his visit to Iran.
He condemned the armed opposition groups and said that they are not committed to their obligations to Annan's peace plan.
"We consider this plan a reasonable plan and we have cooperation with Mr. Annan to fulfill it," he said, adding "the most important issues in this plan are how to reach ending of violence from any side and political dialogue led by the Syrians," he added.
"Unfortunately, I said unfortunately, as the Syrian government, we were committed to ending this violence and withdrawing heavy arms from the big cities since April 12, (but) unfortunately the armed groups failed to commit themselves (to these arrangements)," he went on.
Muallem also said that regional powers behind the oppositions are not committed to these arrangements. "Because of this, the violence has increased (in Syria)."
He also said that the rebel forces in Aleppo "will definitely be defeated" by the government troops.
"We believe that all the anti-Syrian forces have gathered in Aleppo to fight the government... and they will definitely be defeated," he said.
Asked about Syria's chemical weapons, Muallem said that Western media exaggerated on the chemical weapons in Syria.
"Since a month ago, we have been facing such media hype from the United States, European countries, and even from some Arab states. They are trying to pose the subject, and exaggerate on it, " Muallem said.
"Countries like the United States, have said that Israel possesses 200 nuclear warheads, and the Israelis themselves have confessed that they are in possession of nuclear weapons," he added.
Muallem stressed that "We are ready to establish a region without the weapons of mass destruction" in the Middle East.
"We say, if Israel signs Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), since we are a responsible country, we are (also) committed to all international regulations," said Muallem.
Jihad Makdissi, the Syrian Foreign Ministry's spokesman, said last week that Syrian chemical weapons would never be used in any inner fight or against the Syrian people amid the current crisis, "no matter how this crisis evolves."
Some Western officials have expressed concerns the terrorist groups might reach the Syrian chemical weapons.
During the press conference, Iranian foreign minister said that certain countries cannot remain unaffected by the repercussions of their intervention in the Syrian affair.
Iran hopes that some regional countries can act wisely about their measures in Syria, said Salehi, adding that if they continue their wrong policies regarding Syria, "for sure, its repercussions will affect everybody."
The contemplations that the Syrian government will change and another government will replace it easily is a "void and fanciful dream," he added.
"Syria must be given time to implement the reforms," said Salehi.
Also, Muallem said Sunday that relations between Iran and Syria is strategic, semi-official ISNA news agency reported.
Muallem made the remarks at a meeting with Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Saeed Jalili in Tehran.
He stressed the establishment of tranquility in Syria by pushing out the "terrorists" from Syrian cities, said the report.
Jalili also said that the United States and Israel have "an old enmity" with Syria and they want to take revenge on Syria due to their defeats in the past.
The talks between two officials were held behind closed doors.
On Sunday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that the West is seeking to save Israel and to strengthen its dominance in the region, according to the president's official website.
Making the remarks at a meeting with Muallem in Tehran, Ahmadinejad also said "with no doubt, the NATO forces and the countries which do not respect justice and liberty are unable to present them to (other) nations," said the report.
Referring to the current situation of Syria, he expressed hope that stability and security be restored in Syria soon with the help of his nation and government.
On Sunday, the majority of Iran's Majlis (parliament) lawmakers voiced support for the Syrian government and nation, Press TV reported.
In a statement issued by 245 Majlis lawmakers, the Iranian legislators voiced support for the reform process in Syria and any democratic solution that promotes public participation in the Arab state and called on the Syrian nation and government to "cut the hands of the meddlers," calling their interference an attempt to prop up Israel, according to the report.
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