Iranian FM: Tehran will facilitate Geneva talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who arrived in Syria on Wednesday, declared that Tehran would help in ensuring that the Geneva II conference would conclude with results "that will serve the Syrian people." Zarif in remarks broadcast by the official news agency, SANA, said Iran would play a positive role and coordinate stances of the concerned powers to restore security to Syria. SANA quoted Zarif as calling on all concerned powers and countries to "combat terrorism and extremism that pose a threat to all." The minister added that his mission to Syria was designed to "help in efforts to ensure that the international conference due to be held on the 22nd of this month on Syria in Geneva would conclude with outcomes in favor of the Syrian people." Zarif had stated that the sole avenue for resolving the Syrian crisis is through dialogue among the Syrians, for "they solely possess the right to determine destiny of their nation." The Iranian official is currently on a regional tour including Lebanon and Iraq and Jordan. A diplomatic source said the minister was due to hold talks with President Bashar Al-Assad and Foreign Minister Walid Al-Muallem, dealing with regional affairs and conditions in Syria.