Iran says national dialogue in Syria "major step toward regional peace, stability"

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said a national dialogue in Syria is a major step toward the restoration of peace and stability in the region, Press TV reported Monday. Iran attaches significance to the full establishment of ceasefire in Syria and a national dialogue with the presence of representatives of the entire Syrian nation and government as an important step toward calm for the Syrian people and peace and stability in the region, Amir-Abdollahian was quoted as saying on Monday. He said foreign interference, support for "irresponsible armed groups" and U.S.-Israeli attempts to "suppress" the Syrian people and government constitute the fundamental issues in the Arab country, according to the report. In the Qatari capital Doha, Syria's fractured opposition groups in exile started a five-day meeting on Sunday backed by the United States in the hope of closing ranks to oust the Syrian leadership.