Iran’s President Calls for Peaceful Solution to Syria Crisis

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said the Syrian crisis should be resolved by peaceful means and without outside interference.

A long-time supporter of embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Ahmadinejad condemned violence in Syria in an interview with CNN's Piers Morgan.

"We must all say enough of this violence, right now,” the Islamic Republic’s leader said, adding that he is working to organize a group bringing the two sides together.

"We do believe that freedom, the right to choose, the right to vote, respect and justice is the fundamental right of all people. All people must obtain these rights,” Ahmadinejad said.

"No one has the right to restrict a people and nation, but we believe as a friend of nations, we must help the nations around the world to obtain these rights through peaceful paths, though peaceful actions,” he said.

The Syrian conflict has claimed up to 20,000 lives according to estimates by various Syrian opposition groups. The UN estimates the death toll at over 18,000 people. The Syrian authorities say 8,000 were killed.

The West is pushing for President Bashar al-Assad’s ouster while Russia and China are trying to prevent outside interference in Syria, saying that the Assad regime and the opposition are both to blame for the bloodshed.