Iranian FM discusses ways to end Syrian conflict with Assad

The visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Wednesday discussed with President Bashar al-Assad ways to solve the Syrian crisis, the state news agency SANA reported.

Following his meeting with the Assad, Zarif said "it's about time that neighboring countries must heed to the facts and the demands of the Syrian people and to work on countering terrorism in the region."

Zarif arrived in Damascus earlier on Wednesday on a brief visit where he met with Assad and Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem.

The contents of the discussions between Zarif and Assad were not made public, but Zarif was expected to discuss his country's fresh initiative to bring the prolonged Syrian crisis to an end politically.

Iran has recently proposed an initiative for a political solution in Syria, starting with establishing an immediate cease-fire, forming a national unity government, rewriting the constitution, and conducting legislative elections under international supervision.

Pro-government media cited sources as saying that the Syrian government is okay with the initiative as long as each step is put for public referendum.

Iranian sources said the initiative came after Tehran's consultations with regional players, such as Turkey, Qatar, -- both main backers to the rebels -- and members in the UN Security Council as well as Egypt.