'Iran will back Annan plan'

ran will support the implementation of the plan of the Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States, Kofi Annan, if this plan does not provide for the overthrow of President al-Assad, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said at a joint press conference with Annan in Tehran, IRNA reported.

"Changes and reforms in Syria should be held under the supervision and guidance of President Bashar al-Assad" Salehi said.

Salehi noted that Iran is in favour of stabilisation in Syria through negotiations between the government and the opposition, without foreign interference.

Anti-government protests which began in mid-March have persisted in Syria for almost a year. Daily reports are being received about the deaths of people, both civilian and the security forces.

According to UN statistics, the total number of victims in the country exceeds 9000. The Syrian authorities accuse armed militants of the clashes saying they receive assistance from neighbouring countries.

/Trend/