H.E. Mr. Javad Kachoueian:

What happened in the Middle East and north Africa was the beginning of a popular revolution, but an extremist movement with regional and trans-regional support tried to change the direction. My country welcomed the recent presidential election in Syria and thinks it is the beginning of a new phase of stability and national reconciliation. We very much hope that other countries will make necessary a force for the assistance of the refugees as well as the reconstruction process in Syria. On 1 June, our parliament organised a one-day conference on Syria for heads of parliamentary committees on foreign policy. The Chairman of this committee, Deputy Pat Breen, was invited, but unfortunately he could not be there.

The aim of holding the conference was to attempt to stop the massacre of the oppressed Syrian people and the destruction of resources and to prevent the expansion of terrorism and extremism.

The Deputy is right that we help the Syrian Government. Up to now, we have given more than $6.2 million to the Syrian people in medicine, food and so on. Unfortunately, we are under severe sanctions, but in spite of that, we think the Syrian people need food and medicine and we want all countries to help them in this regard.

We think the activities of extremist groups are the main threat to peace and security of the region and the world. Members of these groups will return to their home countries, becoming a potential threat to the security of those countries. They will be able to organise other incidents similar to the attacks of 11 September 2001. I have heard more than 1,500 Britons went to Iraq and people travelled there from other European countries. We should be careful because they will be educated, they will learn how to fight and to make bombs, and when they return to their countries, unfortunately, there may be weaknesses in the security of those countries.

The fight against violent extremism, sectarian conflict and terrorism is Iran's main objective. In Syria, we are in contact with almost all parties, including Opposition parties, except for armed groups. If those groups get into power in Syria, we are sure they will assassinate the Christians there but, fortunately, the Christians in Syria now have good relations with Assad and the Syrian Government. We cannot impose democracy on countries by military force. Democracy is a process that needs time. Unfortunately, some Western countries misuse the situations in Iraq and Syria. I do not want to name them. The doctrine is to create problems and to control them for political motivation.

The UN Secretary General recently expressed disappointment about the Security Council's failure to reach a consensus on finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis and, therefore, he has urged Syria's neighbouring countries to block their borders to prevent weapons smuggling into Syria. Doubtless, such measures shall prove a positive step towards preventing the expansion of the phenomenon of terrorism. We believe that all parties must be involved in the government of Syria. Iraq, Bahrain and Egypt are the same.