In this image taken from video obtained from the Shaam News Network, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, smoke rises due to heavy shelling in Taftanaz, Idlib province, northern Syria, on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via AP video)
In this image taken from video obtained from the Shaam News Network, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, smoke rises due to heavy shelling in Taftanaz, Idlib province, northern Syria, on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via AP video)
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, freed Iranian hostages who were captured by the Syrian rebels, left, received by Iranian officials, left, upon their arrival at a hotel, in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday Jan. 9, 2013. Rebels freed 48 Iranians on Wednesday in exchange for more than 2,000 prisoners, including women and children, held by Syrian authorities ? a deal struck after rare negotiations involving regional powers Turkey, Qatar and Iran. (AP Photo/SANA)
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, freed Iranian hostages who were captured by the Syrian rebels since August, hold roses as they gather at a hotel, in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday Jan. 9, 2013. Rebels freed 48 Iranians on Wednesday in exchange for more than 2,000 prisoners, including women and children, held by Syrian authorities ? a deal struck after rare negotiations involving regional powers Turkey, Qatar and Iran. (AP Photo/SANA)
In this photo provided by the Turkish Islamic aid group IHH, freed Syrian prisoners released by the Syrian government are seen in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. Syrian rebels freed 48 Iranians held captive since August, Iranian state TV reported Wednesday, part of what appeared to be the first major prisoner swap of the civil war. The deal, reportedly coordinated by the IHH, will also involve the release of more than 2,000 Syrians held by Bashar Assad's regime, Turkey's state-run agency Anadolu Agency reported. (AP Photo/IHH)
In this photo provided by the Turkish Islamic aid group IHH, freed Syrian prisoners released by the Syrian government are seen in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. Syrian rebels freed 48 Iranians held captive since August, Iranian state TV reported Wednesday, part of what appeared to be the first major prisoner swap of the civil war. The deal, reportedly coordinated by the IHH, will also involve the release of more than 2,000 Syrians held by Bashar Assad's regime, Turkey's state-run agency Anadolu Agency reported. (AP Photo/IHH)
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) ? The Syrian Foreign Ministry on Thursday accused the U.N. peace envoy of "flagrant bias," further complicating diplomatic efforts to bring an end to nearly two years of bloodshed in Syria.
Also Thursday, the Iran's official IRNA news agency said 48 former captives held for more than five months were returned on Thursday to Tehran after being freed by Syrian rebels in the first major prisoner swap of the civil war.
In a strongly worded statement, the Foreign Ministry criticized Lakhdar Brahimi for comments he made to the media, saying he has "diverted from the core of his mission" in favor of those who "conspire" against Syria.
The statement was the strongest criticism of Brahimi since he took over from veteran diplomat Kofi Annan as the U.N.-Arab League peace envoy in the summer. Annan had stepped down in frustration after his peace efforts failed to get off the ground.
In a BBC interview, Brahimi called for real, not cosmetic change in Syria and accused Assad of resisting the aspirations of his people.
"The time of reforms granted magnanimously from above is past," he told the BBC in an interview.
"I think that what people (in Syria) are saying is that a family ruling for 40 years is a little bit too long so the change has to be real," he added. "I think that President Assad could take the lead in responding to the aspirations of his people rather than resisting it."
His comments during a visit to Cairo came a few days after Assad outlined his vision for a peace initiative that would keep him in power to oversee a national reconciliation conference, elections and a new government.
In a speech Sunday, a defiant Assad ignored international demands to step down and said he was ready to talk ? but only with those "who have not betrayed Syria."
The opposition rejected his offer, which also drew harsh international criticism.
Thursday's statement from the foreign ministry expressed Syria's "astonishment" at Brahimi's quotes and said he "blatantly showed bias toward sides known for conspiring against Syria and the Syrian people."
"We had expected Brahimi to read and analyze the contents of (Assad's proposed) political initiative which is the only exit to the Syrian crisis," the ministry said.
The Iranians who were held captive in Syria left Damascus on a special flight Thursday, a day after the group was released in exchange for more than 2,000 prisoners held by Syrian authorities.
Rebels claimed the captives were linked to Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard, but Tehran has denied that, saying the men were pilgrims visiting Shiite religious sites in Syria.
Iran is one of Assad's main allies, and the Iranians were a major bargaining chip for factions trying to bring down his regime.
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Surk reported from Beiruit.
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