TEHRAN, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday the country has no direct link with the ruling group in Syria.

He made the remarks at a press conference while responding to a question whether a direct communication channel had opened up between Iran and the ruling group in Syria.

"We have, since a long time ago, been in contact with different dissident groups in Syria," Baghaei said, stessing, "However, at present, Iran does not have any direct link with the ruling group in Syria."

As regards Iran's position on Syria, Baghaei said that the Arab state's sovereignty and integrity should be maintained, and its future should be decided by Syrian people without "destructive" foreign interference.

"It is important that Syria should not turn into a safe haven and place for the growth of terrorism and all countries come to the conclusion that any insecurity in each regional state could affect the other ones," he added.

A militant alliance led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group waged a major military operation from northern Syria on Nov. 27. It swept southwards, captured the capital Damascus, and overthrew former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government within 12 days. ■