TEHRAN, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Wednesday refuted the remarks by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan about Tehran's role in Syria.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said that the comments by Sheikh Abdullah, who accused Tehran of weakening Syria's sovereignty, are "untrue, unconstructive and illusory".
Speaking with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday, Sheikh Abdullah urged "the exit of those parties trying to reduce the sovereignty of the Syrian state," pointing a finger directly at Iran and Turkey.
"Unfortunately, Abu Dhabi has created many problems in the region in recent years through adopting adventurous policies," Qasemi said in response to the UAE top diplomat's comments.
He cited that the UAE has participated in the war and bloodshed in Yemen, attempted to occupy parts of the territory of Yemen and intervened in Libya.
The UAE had better stop pursuing such "destructive and ineffective" policies, the spokesman added.
Iran has emerged as a regional ally to the Syrian government in its struggle against the militants in the seven-year conflict.
