Spokesman: Iran, Russia Seeking Peaceful Solution to Syrian Crisis
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman said Tehran and Moscow are after a peaceful settlement for the Syrian crisis, and expressed the hope that the upcoming Geneva 2 conference would come up with a peaceful resolution for the civil war in Syria.
“Iranian and Russian foreign ministers have announced their determination for closer cooperation over Syria,” Araqchi said on Monday, adding that both Tehran and Moscow seek to find a peaceful resolution to the prolonged conflict between the Syrian government and the opposition.
He also hinted at the news on the use of chemical weapons in the Arab country, and added, “We believe this measure has been taken by terrorist groups and the groups affiliated with foreigners which are trying to intensify the crisis and increase tensions in Syria.”
The Iranian diplomat further commented on the Geneva 2 peace conference which is expected to be held on the Syrian conflict, and stated that Russia has insisted on Iran’s presence in the upcoming conference.
“We hope the (Geneva) conference’s agenda will be determined and the meeting will result in a peaceful resolution for the crisis in Syria,” Araqchi added.
On May 7, Russia and the US agreed in Moscow to convene an international conference on Syria, which will serve as a follow-up to an earlier Geneva meeting held in June 2012.
The Syrian government has already announced that it is ready to take part in the conference without any preconditions in an effort to help end the unrest in the country.
However, the date of the long-delayed event keeps slipping as Syria’s foreign-backed opposition bloc remains divided over taking part in the second round of Geneva talks.
