Respect for Will of People Key to Syria Peace Efforts: Iranian Diplomat

“We welcome any positive step taken by various actors that would lead to the settlement of the (Syrian) crisis in line with respect for the sovereignty (of Syria) and the public will and would leave the decision on the political fate to the Syrians themselves,” Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian said in a gathering of foreign ambassadors residing in Tehran, on Monday.

The Iranian diplomat underlined that any decision about Syria in the international talks will have to pivot on the United Nations, respect the will of Syrians, be coordinated with the Damascus government and be within the framework of the international laws.

He underscored that the multilateral meetings and efforts will bear fruit only if they consider the realities on the ground in Syria and the region, and if they lead to a stronger fight against terrorism and more progress in the political processes, simultaneously.

Amir Abdollahian described the UN-led efforts and the Vienna meetings on Syria as “positive step forward” for putting an end to the conflicts in the Arab country.

The Austrian capital of Vienna has played host to two rounds of multilateral talks over the past months for finding a way out of a lingering crisis in Syria.

Senior diplomats from a number of influential countries, including Iran, the US and Russia, as well as envoys from the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) have attended the negotiations.

Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with Takfiri terrorists from various groups, including Daesh (ISIL), currently controlling parts of it.

According to the United Nations, more than 250,000 people have been killed and one million wounded during the conflict.