Al-Miqdad Due in Iran Today

Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Miqdad is scheduled to arrive in Tehran on Monday to confer with senior Iranian officials on the latest developments in his country, including the upcoming International Geneva II Peace Conference to be held on January 22,according to FNA.

Al-Miqdad, whose country has always underlined the necessity for Iran’s participation in the Geneva II talks, will be in Tehran to be informed about the latest stances of the Islamic Republic over the gathering, particularly after US Secretary of State John Kerry’s Sunday comments on sidelining Iran’s participation in the Geneva II conference.

In response to Kerry’s statements, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham reiterated Iran’s full support for a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Syria, and urged the US secretary of state to see the region’s realities, including Iran’s undeniably influential and positive role in the settlement of regional disputes.

“Iran has repeatedly announced since the very beginning of the ongoing crisis in Syria that the problem should be solved through diplomatic solutions. Any solution to the crisis should guarantee the Syrian people’s right to determine their own destiny based on Syrian-Syrian talks,” said the spokeswoman.

Criticizing Kerry’s proposal for Iran’s sidelined participation in the Geneva II conference, Afkham said Tehran would only accept the proposals which are in line with its dignity.

On Sunday, Kerry suggested that Iran could play a sideline role in the Syrian peace talks.

M.D