‘Iran to attend Syria talks with no precondition’

Tehran will participate in the upcoming Geneva II conference on the Syria crisis without accepting the 2012 Geneva communiqué, says a top Iranian legislator.

The invitation for Iran to take part in the Geneva II shows they have realized the fact that the event will be a nonstarter without Iran’s presence, said Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of Iran’s Majlis Alaeddin Boroujerdi on Monday

“Given the official invitation and while insisting that it won’t accept any preconditions, Iran is expected to attend the talks … at a high-level to help the Syrian government and nation get rid of the crisis imposed on the country,” he underlined.

The 2012 Geneva communiqué outlines measures for a transition of power in Syria, and its key demand means Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will have to step down.

The US says Iran can take part in the Geneva II talks if only Tehran accepts the 2012 Geneva communiqué.

Boroujerdi further noted the invitation extended by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to Iran for participation in the talks has been fully approved by all five permanent members of the Council, including the United States.

Commenting on the recent statement by the so-called Syrian National Council (SNC) that it will not take part in the upcoming Geneva II conference unless Iran’s invitation is rescinded, the Iranian MP said there have been serious divisions among Syrian opposition groups ever since the Syrian conflict broke out, and foreign-sponsored militant groups operating inside Syria apparently cannot play a determining role in ending the conflict gripping the Arab country.

On Sunday, the UN chief said Iran has been invited to the Geneva II conference.

The Geneva II talks are set to begin on January 22 in Switzerland. The event will bring together Syrian government and the foreign-backed opposition as well as representatives of many countries, in an effort to end the ongoing conflict in Syrian.