Iran ready to host talks between Syrian reconciliation minister, opposition leader: Iranian ambassador

TEHRAN,Feb.14(MNA) – Tehran is ready to host a meeting between Syrian National Reconciliation Affairs Minister Ali Haidar and Syrian National Coalition leader Moaz al-Khatib should they decide to hold talks, according to Iranian Ambassador to Syria Mohammad Reza Sheibani. Iran’s policy is to help resolve the Syrian crisis through diplomatic means and pave the way for national dialogue in the Arab country, Ambassador Sheibani told on Tuesday. According to Reuters, Khatib said on Sunday that he was willing to hold peace talks with President Bashar al-Assad’s representatives in rebel-held areas of northern Syria. In addition, Haidar told the Guardian in an interview published on Monday, “I am willing to meet Mr. Khatib in any foreign city where I can go in order to discuss preparations for a national dialogue.” In explaining the purpose of the national dialogue, Haidar raised the prospect of a genuine contest for a multiparty parliament and for the presidency when Assad’s mandate runs out next year. “The dialogue is a means to provide a mechanism for reaching free parliamentary and presidential elections. This is one of the subjects which will be discussed at the table. Such a thing could be the result of negotiations, but not a precondition,” he said. “We reject a dialogue that is just to hand power from one side to another.”