Iranian DM Strongly Rejects US Ceasefire Request in Aleppo

Rasa - Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan underlined that the recent demand raised by the terrorists and their foreign supporting states for truce in Aleppo is just aimed at reinvigorating the militants and should be rejected.

News ID: 425581

Date: 07 December 2016 - 17:41

RNA - "Terrorists are using people as human shields and the demand for ceasefire is a war trick to reorganize, arm and strengthen the terrorists and not meant for a humanitarian measure," General Dehqan said in a meeting with President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Peter Maurer in Tehran on Wednesday.

He said the US describes terrorism in a way that would fit its interests. "Therefore, the real terrorists are not seen as terrorists and they are even supported, while those who defend themselves and fight against the terrorists are called terrorists, and they (the US and its allies) seek to disarm people instead of the terrorists."

Maurer, for his part, appreciated Iran for its humanitarian aid to the regional countries, specially Iraq, Syria and Yemen, and said, "We ask the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue its aids to us on this path similar to the past."

Earlier this week, the Syrian Foreign Ministry also underlined that Damascus would not join any truce before terrorists leave Aleppo city.

The ministry underscored on Tuesday that complete evacuation of terrorist groups from the Eastern districts of Aleppo should be guaranteed to persuade Damascus to accept the ceasefire.

Russia and China on Monday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on an immediate seven-day ceasefire in the Syrian city of Aleppo, while the Russian Foreign Minister described the draft resolution as counterproductive to a practical outcome.

Venezuela also voted against the resolution while Angola abstained.

The remaining 11 members of the UNSC, voted in favor of the document. The draft resolution, submitted by Egypt, Spain and New Zealand, proposed an initial ceasefire period of seven days, to allow for the delivery of humanitarian cargo and to pave the way for the resumption of settlement talks.

Moscow and Damascus have long maintained that humanitarian pauses have been used by fighters to resupply ammunition and to strengthen their positions which only worsen the suffering of civilians.

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