UN Chief Stresses Iran’s Participation In Upcoming Geneva Talks

New York, Dec 24, IRNA – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on the US to put aside its opposition to Iran’s participation in the upcoming Geneva II conference on Syria. Iran can play a very important role. Its a very important regional power. Therefore, logically speaking, and practically and realistically, they should be a part of this meeting, Ban said at a news conference at the UN Headquarters in New York on Monday. Ban further noted that some members of the UN Security Council are however opposed to Iran's participation in Syria peace talks, hoping that the issue is resolved soon. On Saturday, Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi stressed the necessity of Iran’s participation in the peace conference. On November 25, the UN set January 22, 2014, as the date for the talks. The conference is scheduled to be held in Switzerland in two parts. On January 22, the opening session of the event will be in the Swiss city of Montreux and then it will be moved to the UN office in Geneva on January 24. Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized attacks by well-armed gangs against the Syrian police, border guards, statesmen, army and civilians being reported across the country. Thousands of people have been killed since terrorist and armed groups turned protest rallies into armed clashes. According to the United Nations, millions of people have been displaced in the violence in Syria. The government blames outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups for the deaths, stressing that the unrest is being orchestrated from abroad./end