No Harmony Among Syrian Opposition Groups: FM Spokesman

Tehran, June 19, IRNA – The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday that there is disharmony among Syrian opposition groups. In his weekly press conference, Abbas Araqchi said no date and agenda have been set for the international conference on Syria to be held in Geneva due to lack of agreement and harmony among the Syrian opposition groups. Araqchi said they have not even made final decision on the countries they want to invite. Asked if the Zionist regime is invited to the Geneva conference on Syria Iran will participate in it, Araqchi said no judgement should made until the issue is clarified. On the Syrian developments, he said Iran supports any diplomatic solution to the crisis. He further hoped the Geneva conference will be held with participation of all groups concerned to work out an acceptable solution to the Syrian crisis. If Iran is invited to the conference, it will review the invitation through a constructive and positive approach, said Araqchi. Iran is verbally invited to the conference, he said, adding Tehran is still waiting for results of negotiations about the issue. Asked about claims that Iran has armed Syria, Araqchi strongly rejected such claims, adding there is no need to do so and Syrian army and government are well capable of fighting the terrorist groups in that country. Turning to Iraq, Araqchi said Tehran and Baghdad are still continuing talks on providing security for Iranian pilgrims. He then referred to recent talks between the Iranian and Iraqi foreign ministers over phone, saying the issue of pilgrimsˈ safety was brought up and discussed by the two sides. Attack on a bus carrying Iranian pilgrims, which was heading for the holy city of Najaf, took place in the city of Mughahiya in Diyala Province on June 7, some 80 kilometers from the capital Baghdad. Some 20 people including 16 Iranians were killed and over 45 others injured in the attack./end