| Tehran, 27 August 2013 (UNIC) — United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman visited Iran from 25 to 27 August 2013. During his visit, Mr. Feltman had consultations with His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammad Javad Zarif, Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran for Legal and International Affairs Mohammad Mehdi Akhundzadeh, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and other Iranian and diplomatic officials.
In emphasizing the UN’s rejection of a military approach to the Syria crisis, Mr. Feltman briefed the Iranian officials on the United Nations’ preparation for a Conference on Syria to be held in Geneva and to focus on the implementation of the 30 June 2012 Geneva communique. Mr. Feltman shared the United Nations’ position that the Islamic Republic of Iran, given its influence and leadership in the region, has an important role to play and a responsibility in helping to bring the Syrian parties to the negotiating table on the basis of the Geneva communique. He expressed appreciation for the statements from Iranian officials that Iran is committed to facilitate a political solution to end the Syrian tragedy. He also discussed with Iranian officials the worsening situation on the ground in Syria, including THE UN’S grave concerns about the potential use of chemical weapons, and how the UN can work together with the Islamic Republic of Iran and other states to end the bloodshed and suffering of the Syrian people as soon as possible. While the primary purpose of his visit was to discuss a political solution for Syria, Mr. Feltman, at the request of his hosts, also shared UN perspectives on several additional regional and international issues. In concluding his visit, Mr. Feltman expressed hope for continued constructive engagement with Iran on a number of issues of concern to the United Nations. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed Mr. Feltman as Under-Secretary-General in charge of the Department of Political Affairs in July 2012. Having accompanied the Secretary-General to the Non-Aligned Summit in Tehran a year ago, this was Mr. Feltman’s second visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran. |
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