File photo shows destruction in Qusur district of the central Syrian city of Homs on July 26, 2012.
Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has called on Syria’s friends and advocates of peace and stability in the region to pave the way for dialogue in order to find solutions to the ongoing Syrian crisis.
In a telephone conversation with Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt on Monday, Salehi outlined Iran's stance on recent events in Syria.
The Iranian minister expressed hope that security, peace and stability would be restored in the Arab country.
The Swedish minister, for his part, voiced concern over “deteriorating” situation in Syria and said all countries should make efforts to put an end to this situation.
Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011, with demonstrations being held both against and in support of President Bashar al-Assad’s government.
The Syrian government says outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorists are the driving factor behind the unrest and deadly violence while the opposition accuses the security forces of being behind the killings.
Damascus also says that the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country and the security forces have been given clear instructions not to harm civilians.
SF/SS
