Abdollahian asks Syria-Turkey to remain calm

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian called on the Turkish and Syrian governments to exercise self-restraint and remain calm after recent border skirmishes between the two neighbouring countries. "The Islamic Republic of Iran calls on both sides, Turkey and Syria, to exercise self-restraint, launch a close study over the case and pay heed to the hidden goals of the enemies," Amir Abdollahian told Iran's state-run Fars news agency (FNA) on Thursday. He reiterated that both sides "should pay attention to the presence of extremist and irresponsible armed groups in the region and also the enemies' tactics and plots." "Protecting the territorial integrities of Syria and Turkey, as well as resorting to self-restraint are the prerequisites to help bring back calm to Syria," Amir Abdollahian added. He pointed out that regional security depends on border control by Syria's neighbouring countries, "which has been stressed in the negotiations held in Cairo and New York".