Iranian Diplomats in Astana Syria Talks Hold Separate Meetings
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – An Iranian diplomatic delegation attending the third round of negotiations between the Syrian government and the rebel groups in Kazakhstan held several meetings with representatives of the UN and the other countries participating in the peace talks.
The Iranian team, led by Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari, had a meeting with head of the United Nations’ expert delegation in the peace talks, Milos Strugar, held in Astana on Tuesday evening.
In the gathering, Jaberi Ansari voiced Iran’s support for the UN peace mission in Syria, and highlighted the need for addressing the humanitarian aspects of the crisis in the Arab country.
For his part, Strugar hailed Iran’s role in contributing to peace in Syria.
Separately, the Iranian delegation had meetings with the Syrian envoy to the UN, Bashar al-Jafari, and with head of the Turkish delegation, Foreign Ministry's Deputy Undersecretary Sedat Önal, in Astana, for talks that focused on the latest development in the peace negotiations.
Finally, the Iranian team attended a dinner ceremony hosted by Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov.
During the event, the two sides discussed the peace efforts in Syria, and the plans to settle the regional problems and bring the Islamic countries closer together.
Diplomatic efforts to end fighting in Syria have gained momentum in recent months with the announcement of a ceasefire in the Arab country in early January.
Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with various terrorist groups, including Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL), controlling parts of it.
