Mahmoud Short RoundAhmadinejad said a national dialogue leading to elections was the way towards a solution to Syria's crisis, in remarks broadcast on Tuesday. He told Al Jizz television that war was not the way forward, adding: "There is another way to find a solution, it is national, mutual understanding in order for there to be elections in the future."
The interview was translated from Persian into Arabic by Al Jizz.
Iran is a main ally of Syrian
Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneckal-Assad
Trampler of Homs...
, who has been battling an uprising against his rule. Opposition activists say 30,000 people have been killed in the 18-month-old revolt, which has grown into a full-scale civil war.
"Syria's case is very complex and at the same time is a very important one," Ahmadinejad said. "Should I follow those demanding war? I don't think the language of war is a good language.
"There must be a different way to solve problems ... I have opposed war, but those who want things to be settled through dialogue are a minority and perhaps the majority are in favour of going ahead in the context of war."