Diplomat stresses support for the government and opposition

The Iranian government works to support serious talks between the Syrian government and the opposition during the upcoming Astana meeting scheduled to be held on Monday, said Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Jaberi Ansari.

He added, in press statements immediately after his arrival of the capital of Kazakhstan Saturday, "Iran's plan, presented over two years ago, aimed to ensure Syria's territorial integrity and national sovereignty as well as leaving everything and all affairs to the Syrian people's choice; we will pursue these ideas in the Astana conference."

Stressing that no foreign party is entitled to decide for the Syrian people, he said, "Within this framework - the plan that Iran presented and Iran's overall views - we will strive to help political settlement of the crisis and serious talks between the Syrian sides in the Astana conference."