Leader's Top Aide:

Iran Strongly Opposes US' Presence in Astana Talks

Rasa - Iranian Supreme Leader's top aide Ali Akbar Velayati in a meeting with Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis in Tehran on Wednesday blasted the big powers, specially the US, for supporting the terrorists in the region, and said that Washington is not liable to attend the upcoming peace talks in Astana.

News ID: 426637

Date: 18 January 2017 - 20:45

RNA - "Iran is strenuously opposed to the presence of Americans in the upcoming Astana talks on the situation in Syria," Velayati said.

Velayati appreciated the presence of the Syrian delegation in Tehran, and called for development of multilateral cooperation between the two sides.

Velayati expressed hope that Astana talks would lead to a giant leap towards restoration of peace in Syriam and said, "The peace needs to be accompanied by power and dignity of the Syrian government and nation."

Khamis, for his part, said that the age-old ties between Iran and Syria are deeply-rooted in historical relations between the two sides.

“Bilateral ties between Tehran and Damascus were founded by late Imam Khomeini and Hafiz Assad and are currently being pursued by Bashar al-Assad and the Leader of Iranian Revolution,” the Syrian prime minister said.

In December, Syria retook its Northwestern city of Aleppo from terrorist groups in the biggest blow to the outfits and their foreign supporters since militancy began in the country in 2011. The Aleppo victory was followed by the establishment of a ceasefire in the city, which was later spread to the entire country.

Iran and Russia coordinated efforts and talked to Turkey, which represented the militants, contributing to the achievements as a result.

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