Al-Halqi Arrives in Tehran, Starts Official Talks

TEHRAN (ST)- Prime Minister Wael Nader al-Halqi was officially welcomed by Iranian First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi in Tehran on Tuesday, and started talks with the Iranian VP immediately after his arrival.  

Al-Halqi and Rahimi started talks at the presidential palace in the capital, Tehran, after an official welcome ceremony which was attended by high-ranking Syrian  and Iranian officials.

Rahimi and al-Halqi discussed the latest ways of both expanding ties between the two countries and helping to the establishment of peace in Syria,according to FARS.

During his two-day stay in Tehran, the prime minister al-Halqi  is also slated to confer with the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, and other officials.

Al-Halqi will discuss with Iranian officials the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s three-staged peace initiative.

Last week, Rahimi in a telephone conversation with al-Halqi voiced Iran’s support for the three-staged peace plan proposed by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to settle the crisis in Syria.

On January 6, President Assad voiced his readiness for dialogue with the opposition and political parties in Syria. The Syrian leader also proposed general elections, adoption of a new constitution as well as a national reconciliation conference.

During the phone conversation on January 9, Rahimi said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran supports this issue and considers it a step forward in the establishment of stability and security in Syria.”

“Terrorists and aliens should know that the Syrian nation want peace and reforms, and they do not accept foreign intervention in their affairs by any means,” the Iranian first vice-president said.

Al-Halqi , for his part, thanked the Islamic Republic of Iran’s stances in supporting the Syrian government and nation.

Also last week, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast called on all regional and international parties to support President Assad’s peace initiative.

M.D