TEHRAN – Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi on Friday welcomed the Syrian army’s entry into the key northern city of Manbij for the first time in six years, saying it is “a new step” in efforts to resolve the crisis in the war-torn country, Tasnim reported.

“Emphasizing the need to respect the national sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Syria, the Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes the rise of the Syrian national flag in the city of Manbij and regards it as an important step to consolidate the sovereignty of the legitimate government of Syria and a new step to resolve the crisis in the country,” Qassemi said in a statement.

MH/PA