John Kerry Meets With Arab Leaders To Push Ahead Syrian Peace Talks

“The United States remains concerned about some of the activities that Iran is engaged in in other countries”, Kerry said, pointing to continued US sanctions over Iran’s support for terrorist groups like Hezbollah, its human rights record and its development of ballistic missiles.

The Saudi minister said the picture was clear and Iran needed to change its policy and its approach, including promoting good neighbourliness and the non-interference in the domestic affairs of other countries, in order to see better relations between Tehran and neighbouring capitals.

After meeting with foreign ministers from the six nations in the Gulf Cooperation Council, Mr. Kerry said he was confident that initial talks between the Syrian government and opposition groups would take place as planned next week in Geneva.

Protesters set fire to the Saudi embassy in Tehran and attacked its consulate in another Iranian city in response to the kingdom’s execution of a prominent Shiite cleric on Jan 2.

Kerry also announced that the second round of Syria peace talks will start shortly.

Although both Riyadh and Tehran have said the mutual animosity won’t affect the Syria talks, there are still serious disagreements over who can represent the opposition at the negotiations, which were initially supposed to begin on Monday but are likely to be delayed for several days.

The support for the Syrian rebels is only the latest chapter in the decades-long relationship between Saudi spy services and the United States, an alliance that has endured through the Iran-contra scandal, support for the mujahedeen against the Soviets in Afghanistan and proxy fights in Africa. “We know it’s tough”, he said.

Larijani told the Iranian media that the war in Syria is among the pressing issues that the Muslim leaders will discuss. “I don’t believe the United States is under any illusion as to what type of government Iran is”.

Saudi Arabia backs the Sunni-dominated Syrian rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad, a close ally of Iran. The talks were attended by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman; Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban minister of state; Adel Al-Toraifi minister of culture and information; Adel Al-Jubeir foreign minister; and Chief of General Intelligence Khalid bin Ali Al-Homaidan.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) – Secretary of State John Kerry says the US friendship with Saudi Arabia is stronger than ever and that the two will work together to try to end wars in Syria and Yemen.