ANKARA, Turkey: A prominent Iranian legislator has called an Arab League decision to suspend Syria's membership a "historic mistake."

Alaeddin Boroujerdi told reporters in the Turkish capital Friday that the League's decision will cause more chaos in Syria and could even lead to civil war that could spread to the region.

Boroujerdi, who heads foreign affairs in Iran's Parliament, said: "the best solution is the reforms that (Syrian President) Bashar Assad has started."

Iran is a strong backer of Syria, which provides it with a foothold on Israel's border and a conduit to Hezbollah in Lebanon and Palestinian Hamas in Gaza.

Boroujerdi was in Ankara for talks with Turkish leaders.