NCRI – On Tuesday 18th of January 2017, state-run Tasnim News Agency reported that:”Following the possibility of U.S. presence in Syria peace conference in Kazakhstan, Astana, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Javad Zarif has stated that they are against the presence of America and the US is not invited to participate in the summit.”
The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov has earlier expressed prospect about further cooperation with the next government of the United State. He also welcomed the US to participate in the summit.
The Astana Summit is initiated by Russia, Turkey, and is held after the two countries achieved success in establishing ceasefire across Syria.
Javad Zarif took a stance against the presence of U.S. at the summit as well as Lavrov’s remarks.
The US confirmed that it will participate in Astana Summit which is going to be held on 23rd of January 2017. Donald Trump’s government has emphasized on taking part in this conference as well. Meanwhile, the Spokesman for the US Department of State said that Washington has not yet received any official invitation in order to attend in Astana Summit.
An official member of the Syrian Opposition on Tuesday 17th of January 2017 stated that the groups of fighters have decided to assign the leader of Jaysh al-Islam coalition, Mohammed Alloush as the head of the negotiating team in Astana Summit.
The Syrian fighters had earlier announced that they will participate in Astana Summit in order to thwart the criminal role of the Iranian regime.