Iranian Deputy FM to Visit Russia for Talks on Syria

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Michael Bugdanov announced the news on Thursday, adding that a meeting of Syrian peace process guarantor states will be held in the Russian resort city of Sochi from January 29-30.

Putin's special envoy for Syrian Affairs Alexander Lavrentiev will represent his country in the Sochi meeting which is to discuss issues related to Syria National Talks Congress.

Jaberi Ansari is Iran’s senior negotiator in Syria peace talks. Based on a decree issued in line with the Foreign Ministry’s structural changes, he will serve as the foreign minister's senior assistant in special political affairs as of January 21.

In relevant remarks on Wednesday, Syrian Parliament Speaker Hamoudeh Sabbagh appreciated Iran for its assistance to his country in the fight against the terrorist groups, stressing the need for Tehran to play a key role in the reconstruction of the war-torn Arab state.

"Major plots had been hatched for Syria which were foiled through cooperation between Iran and Syria. Iran supported Syria in the most difficult and darkest days. This assistance and relations should continue in all fields and the reconstruction process should proceed in a way that Iran will be one of the main partners for the reconstruction of Syria," Sabbagh said in a meeting with Iranian Supreme Leader's top aide for international affairs Ali Akbar Velayati in Tehran.

Sabbagh also had a separate meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran earlier today.

During the meeting, he praised Iran's supports for Syria in campaign against terrorism, and said, "Iran is our main partner in resistance, victory, the political process and reconstruction of Syria."

Zarif, for his part, lauded the Syrian government and nation for resistance against enemies' plots and their victory against the terrorists, and said, "Such victories have made the US and the Zionist regime intensify their destructive plots in the interest of the terrorists."

Also, earlier this month, Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis underlined that his country has prioritized Iranian construction firms in reconstruction of Syria.

"Incentive packages have been considered for the Iranian companies in development projects of Syria," Khamis said in a meeting with members of a visiting Iranian parliamentary delegation in Damascus.

The Syrian prime minister expressed his special thanks to the unsparing support of the Iranian government and people for Syria in fighting against terrorism and termed the victories in Syria as a great achievement for the resistance movement.

He laid special emphasis on the participation of Iranian companies in economic activities and reconstruction projects of Syria.