UN Arab League Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi told Tehran representatives Saturday that Iran's participation in peace talks in Geneva is "necessary," according to AFP sources.
While speaking at a press conference in Iran's capital following his meetings with Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, Brahimi announced to reporters,"We think the participation of Iran at Geneva 2 is natural and necessary."
Brahimi stressed that no invitations have been officially issued for the proposed Geneva conference which is hoped to commence in late November, but continued to encourage and call for Iran's presence at the talks throughout the press conference.
As part of his regional tour to encourage support for the Geneva talks, Brahimi has already visited Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.
However, with the Syrian opposition's attendance in Geneva still undecided, Brahimi's tour may not garner the level of support and momentum for the talks as initially expected. Syrian President Bashar Assad even issued a statement saying that "factors are not yet in place" for a conference in Geneva to take place, let alone be successful.
The 31-month conflict has killed more than 115, 000 people since its outbreak in March 2011.
