Iran, Syria discuss fresh initiative to end conflict

Visiting Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Abdul Lahyan said Thursday that the Syrian leadership has welcomed an initiative proposed recently by Tehran to help bring a political end to the long-running Syrian conflict.

At a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Faisal Mekdad, Lahyan said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and top Syrian officials promised they would study Tehran's proposal.

Lahyan didn't disclose details regarding the initiative but media reports said it includes establishing an immediate cease-fire, forming a national unity government, rewriting the constitution, and conducting legislative elections under international supervision.

"We have sensed that the President al-Assad and other Syrian officials have welcomed the Iranian initiative and voiced their intention and determination to discussing it in order to reach for the desirable results," he said.

Lahyan also urged all relevant parties to join the efforts to end the conflict.

"We are optimistic about this initiative and we are calling on all concerned countries and the United Nations to join these efforts to reach the suitable solutions for the Syrian crisis," he added.

Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, for his part, praised the role of Iranian diplomacy.

"We are glad about what have been achieved by Iranian diplomacy and we stress that such achievements will positively rebound not only on internal situation in Iran but on the regional countries and the world," Mekdad said. "So we again renew our backing to this great Iranian diplomatic effort."

Regarding the recent efforts of UN special envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistrua, Mekdad said the Syrian government sent him questions about his recent initiative.

"We are awaiting for his answers," Mekdad said. "Once we have received the answers to our questions, we will determine our decision toward his initiative."

Mistura's fresh initiative mainly stipulates the formation of four working groups that would include representatives of the government and Syrian opposition groups.

The groups' focus would be on four fields: safety and protection, including ending the blockade and ensuring the arrival of medical aid; political and constitutional issues, such as establishing an interim government board and holding elections; military and security issues, including the fight against terrorism and a cease-fire; and public institutions and development, with a focus on reconstruction of the country. The groups would examine political reforms and form a transitional authority.

On Aug. 17, the United Nations Security Council endorsed the special envoy's plan.

Mekdad said his government "has deeply discussed" the ideas that have been put forward by Mistura. Endit