Iran’s foreign minister, Arab League’s chief discuss Syria crisis

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi have met and exchanged views on the crisis in Syria and the possible ways to end the turmoil.

The two senior officials met and held talks in New York on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

They also emphasized that Iran and the Arab League should work together closely to remove any misunderstandings and concerns.

Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since March 2011.

A very large number of the militants operating inside Syria are reportedly foreign nationals. According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies, especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, are supporting the militants operating inside Syria.

On Wednesday, Zarif also met and held talks with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres. During the meeting, Zarif said that Iran and the UN refugee agency have had close cooperation.

Zarif said Iran is ready to continue its cooperation with the UN body in refugees’ affairs, including issues pertaining to the Afghan immigrants in Iran.

Guterres, for his part, said Iran’s cooperation with the UNHCR was strategic for the UN body. He said the UN agency was willing to maintain and cement cooperation with the Islamic Republic.

Over the past three decades, Iran has been hosting many refugees from neighboring countries especially Afghanistan, though it has received little international support.