Iran may host meeting between parties to Syrian conflict: Iranian diplomat

TEHRAN,Oct.30(MNA) – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that the Islamic Republic is holding talks with the Syrian government and opposition groups to resolve the crisis in the country through dialogue. In an interview with the Persian service of the Mehr News Agency published on Monday, Amir-Abdollahian said that Iran is making every effort to facilitate a meeting between the conflicting parties in Syria, and will probably host the meeting in Tehran. He said, “Since about a year ago, we have been holding talks with the conflicting parties, such as the Muslim Brotherhood and the Syrian National Council… we made efforts to prepare the ground for holding a national dialogue between the opposition groups and the government.” He also said that the trilateral meetings between Iran, Egypt, and Turkey on Syria are held once every 15 days on average. Commenting on the Islamic Republic’s initiative for resolving the Syrian crisis, Amir-Abdollahian said the first step is stopping the violence, and to do so, a ceasefire is needed. Ending the violence in Syria requires the cooperation of neighboring countries in controlling borders and avoiding support for “irresponsible armed groups” in the country, he noted. Another step of the Iranian initiative is holding a national dialogue, which should be held by the representatives of the Syrian people from all walks of life, Amir-Abdollahian added. He went on to say that the next step is forming a transitional government, which could prepare the ground for holding elections. He emphasized that in all steps of the Iranian plan, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad remains as president. At the end of the day, it is the Syrian people’ decision to determine their political future, Amir-Abdollahian said, adding that no county has the right to make decision for the Syrian people.