Iran absence will not contribute to Syria talks

The head of Russian State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee has cast doubt on the “success” of the ongoing peace conference aimed at containing the crisis in Syria in view of Iran’s absence.

“The absence of Iran from the Geneva conference will not contribute to its (conference’s) success,” Russian news agency, Interfax, quoted Alexei Pushkov as saying on Wednesday.

The Russian official further stated that Western powers and their allies are “fighting” the Islamic Republic, while Takfiri groups operating against the Syrian government are the “main” reasons behind the bloodshed in Syria.

Earlier on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon opened the long-protracted peace conference, known as Geneva II, in the Swiss city of Montreux near Geneva. Representatives of 40 nations and international groups were invited to the meeting. The event will move to the UN Office in Geneva on January 24.

On January 19, Ban said Tehran had been invited to the Geneva II conference, but he later retracted the invitation. The United States, Saudi Arabia and the foreign-backed Syrian opposition had been strongly against Iran’s participation in the event.

On January 21, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the UN chief’s move was “regrettable,” stressing that Ban rescinded Iran’s invitation “as a result of the pressure exercised on him.”

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has also said the success of the meeting in restoring of stability in Syria was vague as certain countries that back terrorism are taking part in the conference.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday Moscow is “disappointed” with Ban’s decision to withdraw Iran’s invitation, saying such a move will “weaken the international efforts to overcome the crisis in Syria.”