TEHRAN (Tasnim) � Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian said cessation of conflicts is necessary before a political process for resolving the Syrian crisis could begin.

�The start of a political process and implementing the Vienna II statement�s timetable depends on the establishment of a ceasefire (in Syria),� the Iranian official underscored.

He added that unless there is a �serious and effective� fight against terrorism, a political process would get nowhere.

Amir Abdollahian further stressed that a constitution that should be put to referendum would be the main basis for a political transition in the Arab country.

Foreign ministers from more than a dozen countries, including Iran, Russia, the US, and several European and Arab states, held a meeting in Vienna on Saturday seeking to find a way to resolve the conflict in Syria.

In the meeting, known as Vienna II Talks, the diplomats held discussions aimed at charting a path for a ceasefire and a political transition in Syria to end the country�s devastating war.

Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with Takfiri terrorists from various groups, including ISIL, currently controlling parts of it.

According to the United Nations, more than 250,000 people have been killed and one million wounded during the conflict.

By Tasnim News Agency