Iran Calls for a Political Solution to Wars in Yemen, Syria

By BASSEM MROUE, ASSOCIATED PRESS BEIRUT — Nov 8, 2016, 7:24 AM ET

Iran's top diplomat called on Tuesday for a political solution to the conflicts in Yemen and Syria, saying that continued violence in the war-torn nations would only lead to more bloodshed, with no one winning the war.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif's remarks came during the second day of his visit to Lebanon. On Monday, he met Lebanon's newly appointed President Michel Aoun, underscoring the ties between Iran and Aoun's Hezbollah-backed presidency.

The Shiite militant group and predominantly Shiite Iran are close allies.

Zarif said regional powers should help the Yemenis and the Syrians to reach an immediate cease-fire that would be followed by the start of a dialogue to end the catastrophes underway in both countries.

Iran is a strong backer of Yemen's Shiite rebels known as Houthis and also Syrian President Bashar Assad. Saudi Arabia — Iran's main regional rival — backs the Yemeni government fighting the Houthis and insurgents trying to remove Assad from power.

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