DOHA: The top diplomats from Iran, Turkey and Russia met in Qatar on Saturday for talks on Syria, where militants have taken parts of the country in a lightning offensive.
After the discussions in Doha with his Russian and Turkish counterparts, Sergei Lavrov and Hakan Fidan, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the parties agreed on the initiation of “political dialogue between the Syrian government and the legitimate opposition groups”.
The three countries have been involved since 2017 in the so-called Astana format talks seeking a political settlement in Syria.
However, the situation in the country has changed dramatically in recent days after rapid gains by insurgents.
On Saturday, a militant commander said they had launched the new offensive, though the Syrian defence ministry said “there is no truth to news claiming” the army had withdrawn from positions near Damascus.
Ahead of the meeting, Araghchi said he had “very frank and direct” talks with his Turkish counterpart and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
Iran’s foreign minister during a joint press conference with his Iraqi and Syrian counterparts in Baghdad on Friday that the offensive in Syria poses a “threat” to the whole Middle East.
“This threat will not be limited to Syria and will affect Syria’s neighbouring countries such as Iraq, Jordan, and Turkey,” he added.
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QNA reported that the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani has held phone calls with his Turkish and Iranian counterparts and discussed the latest developments in Syria.
During the call, the Qatari top diplomat reiterated the country’s clear position calling on all parties to engage in dialogue and understanding to end the Syrian crisis in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and Security Council Resolution 2254. AFP
