Syria peace process in Astana great success: Iran Foreign Ministry

Iran has praised as a diplomatic “success” the peace talks underway between Damascus and opposition groups in the Kazakh capital, Astana, expressing hope that the process will work to consolidate the ceasefire holding across Syria.

“The issue of ceasefire is the most important point that will be discussed today and tomorrow,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said Monday.

“I do not think that the talks can enter other subjects during this limited time,” said Qassemi, expressing hope, however, that the meeting “can take some steps forward concerning the stabilization of the ceasefire.”

He called the meeting a “great success,” which can pave the way for humanitarian aid delivery to conflict-stricken areas of Syria.

The two-day negotiations, which opened in Astana earlier on Monday, aim to end the six-year conflict gripping Syria.

Delegates from Iran, Russia and Turkey are mediating the UN-backed negotiations.