Iran blames West over Annan's resignation

TEHRAN - An Iranian lawmaker blamed Western countries' "noncooperation" with UN-Arab League joint special envoy for Syria Kofi Annan as the main reason behind his recent resignation, Press TV reported Saturday.

"Western governments, which seek the political elimination of ( Syrian President Bashar) al-Assad from Syria's political structure, cannot tolerate Annan's plan that is based on (finding) a peaceful resolution to the Syrian crisis," Hadi Shoushtari, member of Iranian Majlis (parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, was quoted as saying on Saturday.

"Annan's measure (of resignation) was a form of protest to the West's unilateral policies in advancing their agenda in Damascus," said Shoushtari.

The Iranian lawmaker said Annan has adopted a "balanced and moderate approach" to resolving the Syrian crisis which could have provided a way out of the current dire situation, according to Press TV.

He blamed certain Western countries, including the United States, Britain and France, for "intensifying insecurity and instability in Syria to carry out their plots and harm the (anti- Israeli) resistance front," according to the report.

On Friday, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said foreign intervention in Syria was the cause of the failure of Annan's peace plan.

"It seems that some interfering countries were not happy with the efforts made by Annan to stop the shipment of arms to Syria and end terrorist acts," Mehmanparast said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi also said Friday that the United States is playing blame game over the resignation of Annan.

"The United States is playing blame game (over Annan's resignation)," Salehi said, rebuking the Western countries and certain regional states for sabotaging Annan's plan and seeking to overthrow the government of Assad and replace it with an unspecified government.

Annan said Thursday he was disappointed over the lack of progress in the Syrian peace process and he would step down after his current mandate expires on August 31.

He noted that without united international pressure it is impossible for him or anyone else to compel the Syrian government and the opposition to take necessary steps to begin the political process.