Saudi Arabia says Assad, Iran-backed foreign forces must quit Syria
94
RIYADH: Russia and Iran must agree to a date and means for Syria's President Bashar al-Assad to quit the country, and agree to withdraw all foreign forces from Syria, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said in an interview with Sky News Arabia broadcast on Saturday.
Arch regional competitors Saudi Arabia and Iran, whose rivalry has been aggravated by their support for opposing sides in Syria, both took part in talks to find a peaceful solution for the country for the first time in Vienna on Friday.
Know more: Military campaign by Syria, allies vital to save ME: Assad
Jubeir said in the interview the Vienna talks, which will resume within two weeks, would show how serious Assad and his backers Iran and Russia were in seeking a peaceful solution to the crisis.
"Our two points where we differ from them are on a date and means for Assad's departure, and the second point is on a date and means for the withdrawal of foreign forces, especially Iranian ones. These are the two basic points without which there can be no solution," he said.
Assad and Iran accuse Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies of being behind terrorism in Syria through their backing of rebel groups. Those countries say they only arm and finance secular or moderate Islamist rebel groups.
Saudi Arabia has characterised Assad's use of air power and artillery in Syrian cities as genocidal and has described the presence of Iranian military forces and Shia Muslim Iraqi and Lebanese militia in Syria as a foreign occupation.
Also read: Saudi Arabia, Iran to discuss Syria war face-to-face
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (94) Closed
Oct 31, 2015 01:45pm
Iran has to withdraw its support for Syria as already done too much mess in Iraq & Yemen
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 01:52pm
US, Saudi Arabia as well as Iran must stop interfering in Syrian affairs.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 01:57pm
The real solution is to hold elections in Syria and Saudi Arabia.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 02:01pm
@Mustafa and fair elections in Iran as well
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 02:05pm
Why?
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 02:06pm
I stand with Iran .
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 02:11pm
assad has to leave Syria, and so does saud, they have to leave Arabia, then Iranian troops can go back to iran
and main group, American have to go back to america
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 02:25pm
@Khan Atleast Iran has some sort of democracy in it whereas Arabs are experiencing worst form of monarchies devoid of any human rights let alone democracy you cannot compare Iran with Arab countries
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 02:30pm
These Saudi's first need to look into their own doings. I am not sure how much Iran is involved in Syria but, Saudi Kingdom's destructive involvement in the whole Islamic world and beyond is there for everyone to see.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 02:38pm
Pakistan Army chief should act sensibly and responsibly . He must visit iran.
Monarchies in middle east are in real danger.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 02:48pm
And who is he to interfere
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 02:54pm
Hmm, Assad has to quit Syria?
What if Assad asks Saudi royals to quit Saudi Arabia? All should quit dreaming about increasing influence by supporting militant groups.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 03:02pm
When there is Iran Behind. Then there is Trouble in Front.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 03:11pm
SA is a root of all evils in Middle East. In pakistan, they funded organizations to kill the minorities..They have been directly interfering in many Muslim countries,
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 03:15pm
@Mustafa What about in Iran??
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 03:17pm
this iusrugency in Syria has only caused by Iran. KSA has no direct border with syria, whereas iran has .
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 03:26pm
The Russians,Iraqis ,Iranian and Lebanon were invited by a legitimate regime but who invited called these terrorists. Whoever is there in Syria without the permission of Syrian regime is a terrorist and should leave immediately or would be forced to leave with shame. Kings and queens of the middle-east should be ashamed of themselves when pointing fingers at Syria the way they behaved themselves in their own countries.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 03:37pm
@Larka I think you are reading a newspaper for the very first time, wellcome though :) Iran is supporting Assad not insurgents, who is anti-america, anti-israel and anti-saud. That is what makes him 'so bad'. You people seriously have got strong influence of saud house on your brains. He is ready for re-elections under the UN but what saudis and israelis want is to just get him out of house. And about democracy in iran It is far better than almost all muslim countries.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 03:43pm
I'm a Sunni muslim, but I'm with Iran in this matter, Saudis must stop helping ISIS and Israel, they created TAlibaan and killed millions of innocent muslims in Afghanistan and Pakistan , and now they are helping Dash
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 03:50pm
@syed( USA) Who cares?
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 03:54pm
The Government must handle this with great care and prudence, and think about national interests. We must work towards peace and stability in the region. Please take a principled approach and not a positional one.
Make it clear that we do not support the idea of more bombings. Sit on the table and talk and resolve with egos dumped in the oceans never to rise again.
We want peace, peace and peace!
Readers please support
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 03:57pm
@Khan 100% Agree with your comments.
Iran Playing bad role in Middle east, after Saddam Hussein Iran have feel that there is no any power to stand before Iran.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 04:01pm
@Larka "this iusrugency in Syria has only caused by Iran. KSA has no direct border with syria, whereas iran has" I am sure that you have not seen world map ever... kindly read the facts before commenting on any subject
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 04:05pm
The KSA - a bunch of over-inflated tribals, is the source of all the mayhem in the region to serve its protector USA. Pakistan's interest is to work together with Iran and Turkey for the mutual good.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 04:14pm
Does anyone take these saudi's seriously? I mean theya re "dictator's aren't they?
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 04:16pm
@Khan how about saudi qatar bahrain and turkey stop supporting ISIS...its beyond me how can you have a soft corner for likes of ISIS.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 04:18pm
Wait for another 5 years all the fat will melt away with decline in oil revenue.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 04:19pm
@Khan have u ever witnessed elections in iran? its fairer than Pakistan, thatsRouhani why they have a reformisRouhani as a president. try and see it from the glasses free of bias and prejudice and you will see the truth.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 04:21pm
@Larka dude I think ur geography is weak .. iran doesn't share boarder with syria
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 04:22pm
Saudi and there Gulf Allies say that they only arm and finance secular or moderate rebel groups.
This will be equivalent of Dictator supporting democratic institution or Thug backing Judiciary.
This is a funny joke of the century from the Arab ruing class.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 04:32pm
Arab dictators needs to be brought to justice for their crimes.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 04:37pm
So the runaway president of Yemen asked for the saudi help and saudis are all ready to bomb yemeni civilians but when a president who is not leaving his country and people is asking help from Iran or Russia Saudis are not accepting it. Weird logic.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 04:53pm
Look who is talk... Start from your country... Elections is the answers to finish these kingdoms.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 05:01pm
It is Saudi dictators who shall set an example by leaving the political horizon of Saudi Arabia, let there be peaceful democratic elections in Saudi Arabia before these warlords have any moral high ground to preach others what to do. If Saudi Arabia becomes a secular democratic country, world will be a better place. Syria will definitely follow the suit. Big brother set an example. Become the Change what you want the world to be!
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 05:03pm
@Mustafa , so true. Saudi Arabia needs elections more than any other country in this world . If there are elections in Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Somalia and the whole Muslim world will have peace and tranquility.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 05:15pm
I am sure they mean all the mercenaries the GCC funded armed and trained to out Asad. Just as the Sauds plan to vacate Yemen.
Oh I got it all wrong the House of Saud wants the legitimate ruler of Syria to quit just because they are not happy with him nor is Isreal and Yemen after all is another story
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 05:15pm
The gist of 33 comments so far is that "Charity begins at home". Let Saudis hold elections in Saudi Arabia (disqualifying themselves and any relative of theirs), Bahrain, Qatar and UAE.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 05:17pm
Dear friends read the below link and then you will realize who is behind this. We are busy blaming each other but the fact is we need to be united otherwise ……………
http://www.sweetliberty.org/issues/israel/greater_israel.shtml
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 05:25pm
Everyone must condemn what's wrong, no matter who is doing it. Firstly, Bashar ul Asaad has gone too far in preserving his fiefdom, killing his own people, and making thousands homeless. Secondly, the role of other actors, involved in the conflict, has also not been an encouraging one. Each actor is adding fuel to the fire in order to achieve personal petty gains, at the cost of poor Syrians. More than 250,000 people have already been killed and almost 10 million people have been internally displaced, not to mention those who have gone through arduous journeys in order to get to Europe and elsewhere.
Iran and Gulf countries have turned this thing into a proxy war, and US and Russia have jumped into this fiasco in order to manifest their superiority over the region and the world at large.
What matters is the will of the Syrians, nobody is asking them anything, despite the fact that they should have been the main stakeholders in the Vienna talks.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 05:27pm
See who is talking. Who created ISIS and other rebel groups . Now you are facing the heat when Russia bluntly taking down the rebel groups. USA was doing half hearted approach for your concerns.
The official government of Syria had asked Russia to intervened. So it is quite legal.
What are your intentions there ? Why are you not stopping these groups.
What are you doing there ?
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 05:33pm
Arab autocrat kings are now feeling the heat their days have been numbered that's why they are yelling frantically. It is in their own interest that they should introduce democratic systems in their countries before it is too latte and their own people drag them on the roads
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 05:35pm
These statements all coming from USA who is financing the Syria rebellion with Saudi money.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 05:37pm
I do not get one thing. The fate of Syria should be decided by Syrian people. Who is the hell Saudi Arabia or any other country to dictate the terms and condition for peace process.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 05:38pm
When Saudis talk of genocide in Syria they seem to forget what they are doing in Yemen! Let us be a little less hypocritical here please.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 06:03pm
@Iftikhar Husain "These statements all coming from USA who is financing the Syria rebellion with Saudi money" very very true As soon as Iran and Russia started the mission of striking Daesh (ISIS) both America and Saudi Arabia who are the creator and financiers of this terrorists group started yelling of foreign interference.. what they have been doing for the last many years in Iraq, Libya, Syria, Egypt and Yemen ?
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 06:06pm
Saudi Arabia has national interest in Yemen, Pakistan in Afghanistan. And Iran has the same interest in Iraq and Syria. Everyone knows that DAESH is backed by western forces. Arabs are the puppets of US and West. Look Bahrain and Saudia Arabia foreign ministers speak at the same time against IRAN.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 06:07pm
@ali Yes after Saddam who was toppled by the American in collusion with your favorites Saudis and other Arab monarchs kindly read the history which is not very old
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 06:23pm
let's start democracy from Saudi Arabia
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 06:28pm
Saudi Arabia along with US and Western forces should also stop interfering in Syria. Let the people of Syria decide whom they want as head of state. Probably it's asking too much from vested interest countries.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 06:45pm
Saudis should also pull out their proxies (ISIS) from Syria.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 06:54pm
There is no democracy in Iran, they are so called Taliban, just like Taliban in Afghanistan, so are Iranian Mullahs in Iran. However we are talking about Syria, where Muslims both shia and sunnis were living happily, before ISIS came into form. The problem is the USA made force ISIS and its interference in Syria and not its citizen.
Democracy is the only solution in my eye, both in Syria and in Iraq.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 06:56pm
Same goes for Saudi royalty. They have overstayed their welcome. Just like Assad they need to hop off their high and comfy chairs and give leadership to more mature and educated individuals who can prevent the impending civil unrest.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 07:18pm
Our government should mostly remain neutral, and stay out of any active role, like we have been doing so far. We have our own economic, security, political, and regional issues to focus on.
Last king, Abdullah, was more sensible than Salman who is suffering from the mental disease, Alzheimer. A thirty year old boy, Mohammad bin Salman, is mainly running the show. As a defense minister, he started the Yemen war without putting much thought, and against the advice of sincere friends within and outside. Now, they are in deep quagmire on war crimes, ceremonial military fighting a real war, and economics.
Recently, their credit rating is cut. With current economic policies, they will be bankrupt in next five years according to IMF. Shameful and inhumane scandals of hedonist princes are making headlines. In Mina, over two thousand people died, and many are still unaccounted for.
They must seek peaceful solutions to problems, rather than to pursue belligerent policies for hegemonic powers.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 07:23pm
@Ali My family belongs to Iran and all my Family went to the USA in early 80's, because of fights, which is still going on. My family MUST wear Burkas, otherwise straight fire on Head. Men are in Power, women have no-right or power to speak in front of his man. Men have all rights but women have no right to decide. They are so called Taliban in Iran.
See in Pakistan we have freedom, freedom to speak to think and to write. Such KIND of Freedom is not allowed in Iran. Women are under pressure. Poor education, poor food, hitting ad hating culture all over Iran.
I still remember, how it was when someone from our neighbor country like Pakistan visited us in Iran. Shah had maintained European standard in Iran, but now we have Taliban Standard all over Iran.
Look the way the Iranians are living now a days. If you like Iran that much than migrate with your Family to Iran and live their.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 07:34pm
And why not Saudi rulers should leave Saudi Arabia? Elections in Saudi Arabia is the solution for all Arab issues.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 07:36pm
Saudi arab must stop using neihgbouring countries as battleground; she must ground and disarm all proxies created in Pakistan that spread hatred and sectarian venom. Pakistan cannot ensure its survival; it should learn to resolve its conflicts herself and leave others in peace.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 07:41pm
All non Syrians need to leave. Foreign presence is quite different from national groups supported by foreign powers. Iran must stop its push for Shia dominance in the region.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 07:47pm
Im with anyone who is against US. Because US is evil in every case.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 07:50pm
If both side made humanity priority instead of religion fight will stop . But it will not going to happened .
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 07:52pm
@syed( USA)
why iran?
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 07:53pm
Wow one dictator county 's king is telling another dictator to leave the county.
Let the people decide in real democract way in Saudi Arabi and Syria, it's time bring changes in both counries, specially in Saudi Arabia where women can't even drive , they can't held any post in the saudi government.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 08:02pm
Suadi Arab should stop support ISIS , Taliban and extremist elements in Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 08:13pm
The Arab states need to pursue friendship with Iran and resolve whatever issues they have in a collaborative and in a win-win manner instead of perceiving Iran as a threat. Iran is the oldest civilization in the region which deserves respect and should be allowed to play its role in shaping the region for the next 100 years and beyond. In this day and age, the Arab states are still being ruled by monarchies and dictators which is oppressive therefore unacceptable. The people in the Arab states deserve to elect their leaders for self governance. Yemen and Syria are no exceptions and should no longer be controlled by the Saudi family
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 08:29pm
@Iranian I went Iran many times and I have not seen anything like that actually you are living in America since 80's you have no idea how Iran and Iranian people including women have grown they are the most modern people in Muslim world they freedom which Iranian women is enjoying is unimaginable even in many western countries I have not seen any women wearing burqa it is Sub-continental and Afghan culture on last visit to Iran when our plane landed we were greeted by woman ramp coordinator, then on airport we were greeted by many women staff then again from Mashhad to Tehran our pilot was a woman I saw women participating in all walks of life even vice president of Iran is a woman My dear wake-up you are living in fast information era you cannot make people fool by posting such lies
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 08:33pm
@Iran You have no idea about Afghanistan and Taliban that's why you are comparing Irani mullahs with Taliban kindly visit Afghanistan atleast once and then Iran there you will find a marked difference seeing is believing
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 08:34pm
Very nice feedbacks guys.America needs to go back to US.
Saudis and U||A|E should stop creating chaos against minorities in Iran,Pakistan and Syria and stop supporting Daesh and improve thier countries human rights so people start having more confidence in them.
Pakistan should remain neutral and stop supporting Saudis or Emaritis in this evil crisis and protect its citizens by foreigh
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 08:35pm
No to Saudi FM views. The Vienna talks will in fact make it clear whether Arabs want peaceful settlement of Syrian crisis or want to continue with their present policy of sending hired mercenaries to kill more and more Muslims. Why, after all why Arabs want Asad to go ? He is head of a duly elected regime and is not like Arab kings.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 08:36pm
Just yesterday over 40 people in a Damascus suburb were killed in a rocket attack by the Sryrian government. The Asads have been killing their own people for over 40 years now to stay in power. If there was one instance when the Saudis were right, this is it - Syria does not have a future with Asad and his foreign backers - this slaughter of the Syrian people has got to stop.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 08:44pm
good point from Saudi minister. at the same time Saudia and the USA should withdraw its ISIS/Dayesh terrorists from Syria.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 08:45pm
@Khan elections in Iran are fair. the modular form is different from what we have in the west, but they are fair.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 08:47pm
Saudi Arabai goes around bombing Yemen. It rolled its tanks in Bahrain to support its own puppet government. Now it wants to do the same. Sorry, the mess in Syria is all Saudi's fault. The sooner these Arab despots the better it will be for the region in the long run.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 08:58pm
Let all Muslim countries become democracy with elected presidential form of government. President should be elected directly like USA with congress and senate confirming the ministers. This system will yield result and millions symphoned for royal families may be used for public. Saudi Arabia and Syria must immediately merge together and hold free elections.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 09:10pm
@Iranian
I am currently living in Iran...
have never seen anybody being killed for not wearing burka properly...
one only needs to google pictures about Iran to see the progress they have made in different fields...
their HDI is much higher than Pakistan's and there is no grinding poverty we find in Pakistan and India...
I think you have been watching too much of Western propaganda about Iran.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 09:13pm
Force has never brought peace in any form. Assad should quit and let the people decide the Syrian fate through fair elections. But it would ofcourse not be easy, as many Syrians are scattered in form of refugees.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 09:22pm
What credibility does Saudi Arab has? It's performance in Yemen? It's association and supportive statements for Israel? Or it's fantastic acts in Mina?
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 09:22pm
@Mustafa Yes, I'm sure elections have always solved all the problems that Americans and Pakistanis face and lets not forget that both Modi and Hitler were elected into office.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 09:26pm
@Yo well said
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 09:32pm
There are good people and bad people in all countries. Good rulers and bad rulers too.
The same applies to Saudi Arabia and Iran.
It's best for Pakistan to be friendly with both countries since both are brothers...
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 09:38pm
Who are the Saudis to say Assad should go, if the Syrian people demand that the Saudi King should go then what.
Let there be free elections in Syria and Saudia let the people deside.
All outside forces should quit Syria.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 09:56pm
@KARACHI WALA very well said. Saudis are over ambitious to become a regional power but are always asking for our help. Who is flying their planes during ongoing bombing in Yemen, is an open secret.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 10:22pm
@Unbelievable Spin!! You comparing india with pak a d iran which are having 18 crore and 6 crore population with 130 crore population of india . in spite of 130 crore population india is 4 th largest economy in the world, and 3 trillion dollar economy
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 10:27pm
@Larka : i am afraid you are wrong. Iran does not have any border with syria . On its eastern side Iraq and Turkey touches its border.
Recommend
0
Oct 31, 2015 11:51pm
This goes same with the Arab backed rebels in Syria stop supporting let the people of Syria decide no foreign backed government
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 12:51am
All the Forces causing atrocities should withdraw from Syria and let the soft and kind people help and heal each other in Syria.
Arming the groups and Bombing the human settlements by one or other, is not the solution for bringing Peace.
Peace will be maintained by Respecting the Human Life.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 01:40am
Iran is untrustworthy so does Arabs, whole world knows inhuman behavior to poor workers, its good oil prices coming down to bring you back to senses.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 03:25am
@Larka Really, Iran has a boarder with Iran ? Are you smoking crack ?
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 04:01am
@Mustafa agree
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 04:03am
@rich Middle East is very needed to American forces during international conflicts.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 04:24am
@Khan here you go with the 'elections' again!
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:45am
Aren't the Saudi forces foreign in Yemen?
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 08:31am
Saudi and Qatar need access to Syria for their natural gas pipeline to Europe. Thus US wants to weaken Russian economy, the current supplier to Europe .
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 09:34pm
Agree with the minister. Iran is actively fighting in Iraq, Syria and backs rebels in Yemen as well as Lebanon. Historically it has also backed militia and rebels in Afghanistan. So no surprises here.
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 05:58am
Whether we are ruled by men, women, or others, this is a war which will decide whether we should be ruled or whether we can stand on our own two feet.
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 06:09am
If the Arab Monarchies and other Muslim rulers could be as physically fit as Putin or Obama may be they would leave the Houbara alone and stand half a chance against Iran.
Recommend
0
