Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani (1st right) shakes hands with his Swiss counterpart Filippo Lombardi on the sidelines of the 129th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva on October 9, 2013.<\/p>\n
Iran™s Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani says the upcoming Geneva 2 conference on Syria must bring influential Syrian political figures together, and bar sponsors of terrorism in the Arab state.\n<\/p>\n
œGeneva 2 conference can be productive if it invites influential Syrian political figures,” Larijani said in a meeting with his Swiss counterpart Filippo Lombardi on the sidelines of the 129th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva on Wednesday.\n<\/p>\n
He added, œWe oppose terrorism, and our nation has suffered a lot from terrorism. Therefore, we expect you (Switzerland) to prevent the spread of terrorism.” <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The Iranian Majlis Speaker referred to terrorism and radicalism as the major threats in the Middle East, stating that certain countries adopt a tactical approach concerning the campaign against terrorism.<\/p>\n
œThey sometimes exploit terrorism to pursue their interests, and then confront it,” Larijani said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The senior Iranian official described a tactical approach concerning the campaign against terrorism as a strategic blunder.<\/p>\n
œOnce terrorism spreads it cannot be repressed… we are now witnessing that Syria has turned into an archipelago of terrorists. It is necessary to adopt a global initiative in the campaign against terrorism otherwise it will become a global crisis,” Larijani said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Lombardi, for his part, stated that the Swiss government is concerned about the Syrian conflict.<\/p>\n
œSwitzerland is trying to play a role in the resolution of the Syrian crisis through hosting Geneva 2 conference,” he stated.\n<\/p>\n
On September 29, UN-Arab League Special Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi stated that it would be beneficial if Iran takes part in the Geneva 2 conference, noting that there is the possibility of inviting the Islamic Republic.\n<\/p>\n
On August 12, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov described Iran as an important regional player that can greatly contribute to the settlement of the Syrian conflict, voicing Moscow™s eagerness for Iran™s participation in the conference\n<\/p>\n
Syria has been gripped by deadly turmoil since 2011. Reports indicate that Western powers and their regional allies — especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey — are supporting the militants operating inside the country.\n<\/p>\n
According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions of others displaced in the violence.\n<\/p>\n
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