IRAN  - Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has advised the regional countries to exercise prudence over the Syrian crisis and warned against the 'catastrophic' upshots of a 'wrong' decision on Syria.

In a joint press conference with the UN-Arab League Special envoy for Syria, Kofi Annan, in Iran's capital of Tehran on Tuesday, Salehi said, "We should not allow the situation to become worse, which would not be to anyone's benefit."

The Iranian foreign minister advised all countries in the region, as well as regional mass media, to act prudently, warning that one wrong step or decision might lead to a catastrophe and would be to the detriment of the region or the international community.

Iran's top diplomat also said Tehran's stance on Syria is clear, and the Syrian people are entitled to enjoy the basic civil rights such as the right to free elections, multiple parties, freedom, democracy and independence.

Salehi lauded Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's steps towards implementing reforms in Syria and meeting people's legitimate demands, adding that the Syrian president's efforts were undermined by the foreign interference that has led to an escalation of the country's situation.

    Annan, for his part, stressed that Iran must play a part in working out a solution to Syria's crisis.

 

The UN envoy arrived in Tehran on Monday to hold talks with senior Iranian officials about the latest developments in Syria.

Before heading for Tehran, Annan paid a visit to Syria where he had "constructive" talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus earlier on Monday

Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March 2011. The violence has claimed the lives of many people, including security forces.

The West and the Syrian opposition accuse the government of killing protesters, but Damascus blames 'outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups' for the unrest, asserting that it is being orchestrated from abroad.