Russia, Iran and Turkey will become mediators of a meeting between representatives of Syria's armed opposition and government, scheduled to take place in Kazakhstan's capital Astana in January, as well as guarantors of an agreement that may be drawn up after this meeting, Interfax quoted Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov as saying.

When asked whether these three countries would act as mediators of the Astana meeting, the diplomat who also serves as the Russian president's special envoy for the Middle East and African countries said: "Yes, they will."

The presence of UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura at the meeting in Kazakhstan is not envisaged, he said.

"The Russian Federation, Iran and Turkey will be the guarantors of an agreement to be formulated at the upcoming meeting in Astana," he said.

The meeting is expected to involve groups that are fighting 'on the ground', including opposition and government groups, the diplomat said

Source: MENA