Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov.9
By Khalid Kazimov - Trend:
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said no one is authorized to decide the fate of people in Syria, except the Syrians.
"It is the duty of the Syrian people to decide on their fate. As we have always said, we can only be facilitators, not decision makers regarding Syria," Zarif told reporters during a joint press conference with his Belgian counterpart, Didier Reynders, on Nov 9 in Tehran, Trend reported.
He further elaborated on the agenda of the upcoming Syrian talks to be held Nov 12 and said the negotiating parties will discuss the fight against terrorist groups.
"The fight against terrorism is an international duty," Zarif added.
"Also, the question should be answered as to who is allowed to purchase oil from Daesh," [the Islamic state militant group ISIS/ISIL] Zarif emphasized.
About 20 countries, including President Bashar al-Assad's key allies and opponents, are preparing to attend the second round of the latest peace talks on Nov. 12 in a bid to end the Syrian crisis, while Assad's fate still remains as the main sticking point in the talks.
The first round of talks, held in Vienna on Oct. 30, failed to reach agreement on Assad's fate, as Tehran expressed support for President Assad's government, while rival Saudi Arabia demanded Assad leave the country.