Iran should be invited to attend the Geneva II peace conference on Syria next month, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says, dpa reported.
"Iran can play a very important role," Ban said. "It's a very important regional power. Therefore, logically speaking, and practically and realistically, they should be a part of this meeting."
Ban said invitations are ready to be sent out "soon" and all of the participants must commit themselves to the outcome of the conference. But Ban said "some important members" of the UN Security Council are opposed to Iran's participation and the issue needs to be addressed promptly.
The Geneva II conference, scheduled to take place on January 22, is to implement a peace plan for Syria worked out in the first conference in 2012.