The Vatican says Iran should be invited to the upcoming international conference on Syria crisis later this month.To build the basis for regional peace, Geneva II needs to ensure inclusive participation of all parties...within the region and beyond, the Vatican said in a statement published on Tuesday.
The Vatican also called for an immediate ceasefire to clashes in Syria without political preconditions, and the start of dialogue among belligerent sides.
Speaking in a joint press conference with Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour in Beirut on Monday, Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Tehran is ready to attend the upcoming international talks on Syria unrest, if it is invited without any preconditions.
Foreign powers should not set preconditions for anyone to take part in the meeting, said the top Iranian diplomat, adding that foreigners had better let the Syrian people be in charge of their countrys affairs.
The Syria conference is scheduled to be held in Switzerland in two parts. On January 22, the opening session of the event will be held in the Swiss city of Montreux and then it will be moved to the UN Office in Geneva on January 24.
Syria has been gripped by a deadly crisis since 2011. According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey -- are supporting the militants operating inside the country.
According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions displaced due to the turmoil that has gripped Syria for over two years.
By Press TV
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