A senior Iranian official hailed Kazakhstan's initiative to host intra-Syrian talks but warned against any attempts to turn "yesterday's terrorists" in Syria into "today's politicians".
"In [finding] any political solution to [the crisis in] Syria, yesterday's terrorists must not become today's politicians," the parliament speaker's special advisor on international affairs, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said in a Saturday meeting with Syrian Ambassador in Tehran Adnan Mahmoud, Press TV reported.
He pointed to Kazakhstan's positive efforts to help solve the nearly six-year crisis in Syria and said the Astana peace talks would be a "suitable opportunity" to benefit from the resistance of the Arab country's people against terrorism.
The two-day talks, mediated by Iran, Russia and Turkey, are to involve representatives of the Syrian government and opposition to discuss a potential solution to the conflict in Syria. The negotiations are to start today.
The negotiations exclude the self-styled Islamic State and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham terrorist groups.
The Astana talks will address issues such as the consolidation of the all-Syria ceasefire, effective confrontation with terrorism and intra-Syrian dialogue toward the achievement of a political solution to the crisis.
Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari is heading the Iranian delegation to the Syria peace talks.
Amir-Abdollahian emphasized that the exchange of visits between the political and parliamentary officials from Iran and Syria would play a leading role in improving coordination between the two countries in support of Syria's fight against terrorists.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran backs territorial integrity and independence of Syria and regards national dialogue and people's vote as the best political solution to the Syrian crisis," he said.
The Syrian envoy said Damascus insists on pursuing political approaches based on intra-Syrian talks without any foreign interference.
Mahmoud hailed Iran's support for the Syrian government and nation, and said his country will proceed with its campaign against terrorism.
He stressed the importance of having more consultations and cooperation between Tehran and Damascus.
Foreign-sponsored militancy began in Syria in 2011. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their lives in the conflict and millions have been displaced either within or outside the country.
