Iran foreign minister to discuss ‘new plan’ for Syria on Lebanon visit

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif arrived in Pakistan on Thursday for a day-long visit, officials said.

Zarif and Indian officials are also set to discuss the latest developments in the region, Iran’s recent nuclear agreement with world powers and the subsequent lifting of sanctions.

“We value the major role played by the prime minister in providing security, fighting terrorism and creating cooperation”, Zarif told a press conference after the 35-minute meeting.

Talking to the Iranian Foreign Minister, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said a strong desire for strengthening parliamentary ties exists both in Pakistan and Iran.

Zarif is scheduled to visit Syria Wednesday and then leave for Pakistan.

“Iran’s four-article plan to help resolve the ongoing crisis in Syria has been prepared within the framework of the previously-mentioned principles and is being updated”, Afkham said.

One of the most important delayed project between two neighbor nations was the construction of the Peace Pipeline, aimed at exporting Iranian gas to Pakistan, according to Iranian media outlets.

According to officials, the Iranian plan was based on “respect for the Syrian people’s legitimate right to reforms and to decide their own future”.

Zarif’s statements were carried by Al-Manar, the television of the powerful Lebanese Shiite group, which is supported by Iran.

Iran, Hezbollah and Russian Federation have been the biggest backers of the Assad regime throughout the conflict.

The delay came as worldwide powers, including Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia and the US, renewed diplomatic efforts to solve the intractable Syrian crisis. The Syrian conflict has killed more than 250,000 people since it broke out in March 2011.

Hezbollah and Syrian troops have been trying to fully capture the one-time rebel stronghold of Zabadani for more than a month.

Two women shot at the US consulate in Istanbul on Monday and at least nine people were killed in a wave of separate attacks on Turkish security forces, weeks after a crackdown on Islamic State, Kurdish and far-left militants.

The ceasefire also includes the Shi’ite towns of Kefraya and Foua in Idlib province which are under attack by an alliance of Islamist insurgents known as the “Army of Fatah”, which includes Ahrar al Sham.