Syrian Govt Rejects Qatari, Saudi Role in Talks
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The participation of Saudi Arabia and Qatar in Syria talks will be discussed once they stop backing militancy, Syria's deputy foreign minister said on Wednesday, appearing to reject their attendance at forthcoming peace talks.
"Once Qatar and Saudi Arabia halt their support for terrorism we will discuss the matter of their participation in the talks," Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Meqdad said, Reuters reported.
Kazakhstan is due to host Syria peace talks next week called for by Russia, Iran and Turkey.
Russia and Iran are Assad's two main allies. Turkey has backed militants fighting against Syrian President Bashar Assad, as have Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
