Neighboring Sates To Convene In Tehran For Consultations On Syria

Tehran, Aug 7, IRNA -- The neighboring states will convene in Tehran on Thursday for consultations on Syria, Deputy Foreign Minister for African and Arab Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian said on Monday. Amir Abdollahian made the remarks in a meeting with Tehran-based diplomatic corps. He said that the Islamic Republic of Iran believes that Syrian crisis should be resolved through comprehensive national reconciliation. Invitation letters have been forwarded to several countries through their ambassadors and over ten countries have voiced readiness to attend the meeting. He said that the aim of the meeting is to help restore stability and tranquility in Syria which would be implemented through constructive contribution of regional countries and international organizations. From the early stages of the crisis in Syria, Iran called for adopting peaceful and political means to resolve the crisis; he said adding that Iran spared no effort to put an end to the violence and conflict between the two parties. He called for ceasing violence and maintaining peace and tranquility as the key to resolve crisis in Syria. Tehran supported the six-point peace plan put forward by Kofi Annan and would proceed with the peace plan in Tehran meeting, he said. He warned against spread of extremism and influence of al-Qaeda in Syria. "There is a question that when al-Qaeda plays active role in Syrian terrorism and violence, why the US and other countries back shipment of heavy and semi-heavy weapons to the country."" He called on the mass media to reflect realities in Syria and avoid spread of unreal events./end