Geneva 2 Syria Conference Could Create New Crisis : Iranian Official
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - An Iranian deputy foreign minister warned that the Geneva 2 conference on Syria could create a new crisis.
Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian made the remarks on the eve of the second round of talks between representatives of the Syrian government and the foreign-backed opposition in the Swiss city of Geneva.
He said the talks could lead to a new crisis if the mediators do not deal realistically with the situation.
The negotiations, aimed at finding a solution to the three-year conflict in Syria, are set to begin on Monday.
Amir Abdollahian said the opposition delegation, which only represents three percent of the Syrian people, cannot save the war-torn country, Press TV reported.
He stated, “The solution for the issues in Syria is merely political and based on the will of the people in the country.”
He further noted, “Syria has acted insightfully in its fight against terrorism and Takfiris.”
The first round of the peace talks in Geneva ended inconclusively on January 31 amid sharp differences between representatives from the Syrian government and the so-called Syrian National Coalition (SNC).
The opposition and its Western supporters insist that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must step down, giving way to the formation of a transitional government in Syria.
But the Syrian government says Assad’s role is not up for debate in Geneva, and that his future role is a red line. It also argues that the foreign-backed opposition does not represent the Syrian opposition.