Syrian President Bashar Assad and Foreign Minister Mohammad JavadZarif in Damascus held talks about United Nations conference aimed at trying to resolve the three-year deadly conflict.

Zarif once again renewed Iran’s support for a political solution to the ongoing crisis in the Muslim country, Fars News Agency reported.

“We should move towards a solution for the Syrian crisis through political dialogue and on a realistic basis,” Zarif said.

The foreign minister described the upcoming Geneva II meeting a political and international capacity for the resolution of the Syrian crisis, and said, “Success in holding the meeting can prevent continuation of the massacre of the innocent people and also extremism.”

Zarif also underlined Iran’s readiness to expand economic, political and cultural cooperation with Syria.

The Syrian president, for his part, thanked Iran for its stable stances in supporting the Syrian people. President Assad also briefed Zarif about the measures taken by the Syrian government in its campaign against violence and extremism.

Extremist Ideology Slammed

Assad also warned that Saudi Arabia’s political and religious ideology is “a threat to the world”.

He was referring to extremist Wahhabism, an ultra-conservative sect which is predominant in Saudi Arabia, a key backer of the terrorist measures against the Syrian government.

“The Syrian people and some peoples in the region know how serious the threat posed by Wahhabism is, and everyone must contribute to the confrontation against it and to eradicating it from the root,” said Assad.

Earlier, SANA had quoted Zarif as saying the purpose of his visit “was to help ensure that the international Geneva II conference on Syria brings about results that are in the interests of the Syrian people”.

Zarif arrived from Jordan, where he had been as part of a regional tour that also included a visit to Iraq and Lebanon.

Zarif discussed issues of mutual interest in a meeting with Syrian Prime Minister Wael Nader Al-Halqi.

Jordan Visit

The Iranian foreign minister in Amman held different meetings with senior Jordanian officials, including the country’s king, King Abdullah II, on bilateral ties.

During the meeting, King Abdullah and Zarif discussed on bilateral ties and regional developments.

They also conferred on the latest developments in the Middle East, especially Syria and efforts to achieve peace in the region.

King Abdullah reiterated Jordan’s support for a comprehensive political solution to the Syrian crisis that stops the bloodshed and preserves Syria’s people and territorial unity.

On peace efforts, the King stressed the importance of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict according to the two-state solution, international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab peace initiative.

The Iranian minister stressed his country’s keenness on coordinating and consulting with Jordan on various challenges facing the Middle East to arrive at solutions that guarantee the region’s security and stability.

He commended the King’s endeavors to promote dialogue, understanding and coexistence between different cultures and peoples, referring to a number of royal initiatives, notably the Amman Message.

Zarif also had a meeting with Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour during which they discussed boosting bilateral ties especially in economic fields.

Ensour said King Abdullah II was one of the first leaders who emphasized the importance of a political solution to the ongoing crisis in Syria to preserve its people and territorial unity.

The Iranian minister pointed out that King Abdullah II plays an important role in promoting security and stability in the region, commending Jordan as voice of moderation in the region.

Following a meeting with his Jordanian counterpart Nasser Judeh,  Zarif reiterated the Syrians are the only people who should shape their political destiny and future.

Zarif said it is very important for all countries in the region to work to avoid sectarian conflict.

He also touched on the issue of Palestine, calling for the recognition of the Palestinians’ rights.

The Iranian minister and his Jordanian counterpart also exchanged views on how to improve bilateral relations between the two countries.