Rouhani: Syria Talks Should Focus On People, Not Al-Assad’s Fate
Local Editor
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani confirmed that the discussions on the crisis in Syria should focus on the Syrian people and not President Bashar al-Assad.
"It's not about a person. It's about a nation; it's about the Syrian nation. It's about security and stability for Syria," President Rouhani said in a Wednesday interview with TV channel France 2 and French radio Europe 1, according to excerpts broadcast by the two outlets.
His remarks came ahead of a new round of international talks on Syria in the Austrian capital, Vienna, on Saturday. The talks will bring together some 20 countries and international bodies to try to agree on a roadmap for peace.
The Iranian president also stressed that all sides attending the talks need to make efforts to eradicate terrorism in Syria and make it possible for peace and stability to return to the region.
He said certain people are trying to divert the debate on Syria away from the questions that matter.
Hours earlier, Iran's deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, expressed doubts about the presence of a delegation from Tehran in a fresh round of international talks on the crisis in Syria, saying the Islamic Republic has yet to decide on attending the November 14 meeting in Vienna.
"Iran has not yet decided on participation in the next ministerial-level meeting," he told al-Mayadden TV channel.
"The United States should provide answers regarding some unilateral actions taken by some of the sides" participating in the talks, which have come "without consulting others."
He added that Tehran would not tolerate actions that violate the agreements reached in the Vienna I meeting.
Previous negotiations on the Syrian crisis were held in Vienna on October 30, bringing together top diplomats from 17 countries, including Iran, as well as envoys from the United Nations [UN] and the European Union [EU].
The participants agreed on the necessity of respect for Syria's unity and sovereignty as well as the eradication of the extremist groups operating in the Arab country, stressing that the political process to end the bloodshed there "will be Syrian-led and Syrian- owned."
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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