Tehran/Moscow: The chances of Syria peace talks in Switzerland succeeding without the participation of Damascus ally Iran are not that great, a senior Iranian official said on Tuesday.Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchis comments to state television came a day after the United Nations abruptly withdrew Tehrans invitation to Wednesdays conference over its refusal to back calls for a transitional government to end the war in Syria.
It is clear that a comprehensive solution to the Syria issue will not be found when all influential parties are not involved in the process, Araqchi said.
Everyone knows that without Iran the chances of a real solution to Syria are not that great.
Russias foreign minister says that the UN decision to rescind the invitation to Iran was a mistake but not a catastrophe.
Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday that United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moons decision to withdraw his last-minute offer to Iran to attend the conference would have a negative impact on the United Nations image.
Lavrov, speaking at a news conference, reaffirmed Russias argument that the presence of Iran was essential for the success of the conference that is set to begin on Wednesday in the Swiss resort of Montreux.
Tehran is accused of providing military and financial support to Damascus.
It staunchly backs the government of embattled President Bashar Al Assad during the conflict that began in 2011 and is estimated to have killed more than 130,000 people.
Iranian participation in the peace talks has long been a thorny issue in preparations for the forum dubbed Geneva II and due to begin on Wednesday in the Swiss town of Montreux.
By Gulf News
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