1st Syrian National Dialog Starts In Tehran

Tehran, Nov 18, IRNA – The first Syrian National Dialogue kicked off in the Iranian capital Sunday with the participation of over 200 prominent international and political personalities. Syrian politicians as well as representatives of various political parties in that country along with President Bashar al-Assad's envoys are attending the Tehran meeting. Syrian Deputy Prime Minister Qadri Jamil and Minister of State for National Reconciliation Ali Haidar are also present in the event. The day-long meeting started by the opening speech of the Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi. The Tehran meeting will urge the influential international and regional bodies and countries to take another step towards resolving the 20-month-long Syrian crisis. Iran has been making great efforts to settle the Syrian crisis through peaceful solutions. In early August, Iran held a consultative meeting on Syria during which participants from 30 world countries called for a ceasefire and an end to the Syrian violence through diplomatic channels. Tehran has already stressed the need for making political reforms in Syria as well as meeting the demands of the Syrian nation./end