Iran to attend intl talks on Syria: spokeswoman
Updated: 2015-10-28 19:39
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||||
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif gestures as he attends a joint news conference with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier (not seen) in Tehran October 17, 2015.[Photo/Agencies] |
TEHRAN -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif will attend the international talks on the future of Syria to be held in Vienna on Friday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said here on Wednesday.
Three deputy ministers from Iran's foreign ministry will accompany Zarif in Friday's meeting, Afkham was quoted as saying by Iranian Students' News Agency.
In the telephone conversation on Tuesday and Wednesday, Iranian and Russian foreign ministers conferred over Syrian crisis and the upcoming Vienna meeting on the country, she said.
Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, the European Union and France also said they would attend Friday's talks, which come a week after a smaller round of negotiations between the United States, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
On Tuesday, Iran was invited to the Syria talks for the first time since the outbreak of civil war in the country.
US State Department spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday that "We have to have a conversation and a dialogue with Iran" over Syria and "It's up to Iran to decide whether they're going to or not."
Iran has emerged as a staunch regional ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government in the country's long-lasting conflict.
Washington has been against including Tehran in the political talks on Syria over the past years, seeing Tehran as "part of problem" in the crisis. Iran rejected the US claims, accusing the latter of supporting terrorist groups in the Arab state.
On Tuesday, Afkham said that the United States "should stop its policy of supporting and nurturing of terrorists in Syria," according to Iran's Foreign Ministry website.
Related Stories
Israeli paraglides to enter Syria 2015-10-26 07:58
Russia's intervention curbs terrorism expansion in Syria: Assad 2015-10-21 21:15
US, Russia sign memorandum on safe flight operations over Syria 2015-10-21 11:30
Russian air raids destroy over 49 militant positions over 24 hrs across Syria 2015-10-19 22:14
Pentagon says al Qaida financier killed in Syria air strike 2015-10-19 10:42
Iran provides Syria, Iraq with weapons, military experts 2015-10-16 09:52
Today's Top News
Refugee crisis continues to create rift between pro-Europeans, Eurosceptics
Rescue operations continue in quake-stricken Afghan provinces
Dutch King receives Dutch rabbit with Chinese characteristics
Silk Road Fund to invest $100m in China International Capital Corp's IPO
Over 200 dead as huge earthquake shakes S. Asia
British pub becomes tourist attraction after Xi's visit
King's visit to boost partnership: Dutch FM
Balkan, EU leaders agree to coordinate on migrants
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Xi just needs to turn up for a grand welcome |
Stepping up |
Rural families still hope for male heirs |
Blue skies over Beijing ... for now |
V-Day parade for 70th WWII anniversary |
Tianjin blasts: Death, damage and bravery |