Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani and Alexander Lavrentiev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s envoy on Syrian affairs, discussed efforts aimed at putting an end to the nearly six-year-old conflict gripping the Arab country.
Speaking in a Sunday meeting in Tehran, Shamkhani hailed the recent peace talks held between the Syrian government and opposition groups in the Kazakh capital Astana, noting that it has succeeded in consolidating the ceasefire in Syria and could be a model for settlement of other conflicts in the region. However, the Iranian official warned that there can be no resolution of the Syrian crisis, as long as terrorist groups supported by some regional states are operating in Syria, IRNA reported.
The Astana talks, which were held on January 23-24, were organized by Iran and Russia, supporters of the Syrian government, and Turkey, a major supplier of arms to militants. The trio announced at the end of talks that they have agreed on the establishment of a trilateral mechanism to monitor possible violations of the current ceasefire in Syria and ensure its survival.
The nationwide ceasefire started on December 30 and has been largely holding.
Lavrentiev praised Tehran for its constructive role in efforts aimed at achieving a political resolution of the Syria conflict, saying the successful organization of Astana talks and its positive results show that the trilateral initiative holds bright prospects for ending the Syria crisis.
“Political talks will not interfere with the fight against terrorists, and cooperation among Iran, Russia and Syria against those who do not abide by the Dec. 30 ceasefire will continue,” he declared.
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