Syria opposition accuses Iran of 'interference'

BEIRUT - Agence France-Presse

A handout image released by the Syrian opposition's Shaam News Network allegedly shows a masked Syrian Free Army fighter standing in front of mural paintings of Syria's old national flag which has been adopted by the opposition movement in Daraya on the outskirts of the capital Damascus late on May 31 , 2012. AFP photo

The opposition Syrian National Council on Friday accused Iran of "interference in Syrian affairs" by providing Damascus with military aid, and called for an Arab League and UN probe.

"Despite the Syrian regime's crimes... the Iranian regime seems determined to provide it with full military, security, economic and political support," the SNC said in a statement.
 
"Iranian interference in Syrian affairs includes the training of pro-regime militias on the repression of protests," it said.
 
The SNC charged that Tehran was providing Damascus with surveillance technology and weapons, including explosives, machineguns, heavy artillery and tanks.
 
"Iran's Revolutionary Guard have taken part in security operations to persecute anti-regime dissidents," the statement added.
 
The opposition coalition demanded that the Arab League and the UN Security Council "investigate" Iran's involvement, adding that the Iranian regime was "complicit in trying to ignite a civil war in Syria." The UN Security Council "must condemn and take the necessary steps, while preventing the illegal arrival of Iranian weapons and equipment to the Syrian regime," it said.
 
"Tehran has also pumped billions of dollars (to the Syrian regime) through banks in Lebanon and Iraq, in order to prevent the economy from collapsing," the SNC added. The SNC also accused Iran of complicity in "the crimes committed by the (Syrian) regime," and of "denying the regime's responsibility for these crimes."