Iran’s Zarif arrives in Islamabad from Syria

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has arrived in the Pakistani capital Islamabad after a visit to Syria and Lebanon.

He landed at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad at around 6:30 a.m. local time on Thursday.

Zarif will meet his Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz, Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The Iranian top diplomat will then continue his tour of the region by flying to the Indian capital New Delhi on Thursday evening.

Upon leaving the Syrian capital Damascus, Zarif said he had “good discussion” with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over the “unrest” that has paralyzed Syria since 2011.

“Time has come for everyone to respect the will of the Syrian people in fighting terrorism,” he stated.