Lebanon’s Aoun Stresses Importance of Advancing Talks in Astana to Resolve Crisis in Syria

BEIRUT, (ST)-Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun has welcomed efforts to establish peace, security and stability in the region and stressed the importance of advancing the talks in Kazakhstan’s capital of Astana to resolve the crisis in Syria.

Aoun was speaking during a meeting on Monday with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari who is currently visiting Lebanon.

 Talks dealt with various issues of mutual and regional interest to Islamic Republic and Lebanon.

 Aoun said his country had succeeded to fight terrorism and have its new parliament election law passed through national consensus among all Lebanese groups.

He noted that tackling the country’s economic problems was a top priority for his government.

He stressed the importance of the progress of talks on Syria in the Kazakh capital of Astana to find a political solution in Syria.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that preparations were being made by Russia, Iran, and Turkey, as well as the Syrian government and opposition, for a next round of talks in Astana on solution in Syria.

The Lebanese president further said his country’s policy was based on non-interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries and steering clear of foreign conflicts.

Aoun also added in response to an invitation extended to him by his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani, that he would pay a visit to Iran in the future, but noted that the exact date had not been set yet.

Jaberi Ansari, for his part, said the Lebanese government, nation, army and resistance movement had played a prominent role in the fight against the Israeli regime and terrorism.

He added that the Iranian foreign policy was based on promoting regional cooperation and economic interaction and emphasized that Lebanon enjoyed high priority in this regard.

H.M