Moscow: Zarif, Lavrov Discuss Preparations for Syria Talks in Vienna
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov spoke by telephone on Wednesday about preparations for talks on the Syria crisis slated to take place in Vienna later this week, Russia’s foreign ministry said.
“In developing the last contacts, Sergei Lavrov and Mohammad Zarif exchanged opinions on the preparations for a meeting slated for this week in Vienna of ‘foreign players’ and other key countries in the region to discuss ways of coordinating efforts in the fight against terrorism and action in intra-Syrian political talks soon to be launched,” the ministry said, Sputnik reported on Wednesday.
The telephone conversation was the fourth between Zarif and Lavrov over the past week during which the two foreign ministers discussed the ongoing crises in the Middle East, particularly the Syria conflict.
They spoke over the phone on October 24, 26 and 27 preceded by a meeting between the foreign ministers of Russia, the United States, Saudi Arabia and Turkey in Vienna on October 23 which focused on the settlement of the Syria crisis.
Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011. Syrian army has been fighting several opposition factions and numerous militant groups, including ISIL.
On September 30, Russia began precision airstrikes on ISIL positions in Syria at the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Since the beginning of the air campaign, Russian Aerospace Forces have carried out some 830 strikes, killing several hundred militants and destroying dozens of command centers, and depots used by the terrorists.
