Russia supports Iran's participation in conference on crisis in Syria

Russia believes that all the countries including Iran affected by the
crisis in Syria should participate in the international conference on
Syria, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday, RIA Novosti
reports.

Russia has proposed organizing a conference on the Syrian issue at
an informal meeting with the UN General Assembly. The Russian side
said that the purpose of the conference is to support the plan of the
special envoy of the UN and the Arab League, Kofi Annan, and encourage
dialogue between the authorities and the armed opposition.

The Russian Foreign Minister stated earlier that the conference would
be open to about 15 countries, including the permanent members of the
UN Security Council and the neighboring countries of Syria. Thus,
Russia, USA, France, Britain, China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon,
Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, and Iran are expected to take part in the
conference.