Astana Talks Testimony to Assad’s Legitimacy: Velayati
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The most recent Syria peace negotiations held in Kazakhstan proved that all of the involved parties, including Turkey and even the Syrian opposition, have acknowledged the legitimacy of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government, Iranian official Ali Akbar Velayati said.
“The Astana meeting demonstrated that all parties, either Turkey or the groups following it, and even countries not present there (in the talks) have somehow recognized the Syrian government’s legitimacy, directly and indirectly,” head of the Strategic Research Center of Iran's Expediency Council told reporters in Tehran on Tuesday.
He also expressed the hope that the Astana negotiations would help a ceasefire hold in Syria, but noted that one should not expect the talks to put an end to all hostilities.
“(Holding) such meetings should continue, and in every meeting, forward steps should be taken,” Velayati added.
A fresh round of peace negotiations between the Syrian government and the opposition groups began in Astana on Monday.
Overseen by Russia, Iran and Turkey, the talks concluded on Tuesday with a final communiqué.
Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with various terrorist groups, including Daesh (ISIL), currently controlling parts of it.
Diplomatic efforts to end fighting in Syria have gained momentum in recent weeks with the announcement of a ceasefire in the Arab country earlier this month.
The truce, which has been negotiated between Russia, Iran, Turkey, the Damascus government and the Syrian opposition, excludes terrorist groups such as Daesh and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham.
