Iranian FM says U.S. plays blame game over Annan's resignation

TEHRAN, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said Friday that the United States is playing blame game over the resignation of UN-Arab League Special Envoy for Syria Kofi Annan, press TV reported.

"The U.S. is playing blame game (over Annan's resignation), because (it was) the Western countries and certain regional states that sabotaged Annan's (peace) plan (for Syria)," Salehi was quoted as saying.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday that Annan's failure in his efforts to end the violence and bloodshed in Syria was due to the UN Security Council being "blocked from giving him key tools to advance his efforts."

However, the Iranian foreign minister said that "Annan's six- point plan was acceptable to Syria and key regional players, but the other side did not allow Annan to successfully implement his plan."

He further criticized "the West and certain regional countries" for trying to sabotage Annan's peace plan, saying that they seek to overthrow the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and replace it with an unspecified government, according to the report.

Annan said Thursday he was disappointed over the lack of progress in the Syrian peace process and he would step down after his current mandate expires on Aug. 31.

Annan said that without united international pressure it is impossible for him or anyone else to compel the Syrian government and the Syrian opposition to take necessary steps to begin the political process.

Annan also blamed the Syrian government for its "continued refusal" of the six-point peace plan and held the opposition responsible for the escalation of military campaign. Enditem