Zarif: Iran, Turkey narrowing differences on Syria

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif underlined the positive role that Tehran and Ankara can jointly play in the settlement of the crisis in Syria. Speaking in a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu in Istanbul late on Saturday, Zarif said Tehran is working with Turkey to resolve their differences over Syria. He further stressed that any solution to the prolonged crisis in Syria must be peaceful. “Other countries should help the people of Syria reach a consensus and end the violence in Syria,” the top Iranian diplomat added. The conflict in Syria started in March 2011, when sporadic pro-reform protests turned into a massive insurgency following the intervention of western and regional states. The unrest, which took in terrorist groups from across Europe, the Middle-East and North Africa, has transpired as one of the bloodiest conflicts in recent history. As the foreign-backed insurgency in Syria continues without an end in sight, the US government has boosted its political and military support to Takfiri extremists. Washington has remained indifferent to warnings by Russia and other world powers about the consequences of arming militant groups.