Islam Times - Iran should be invited to Syria conference in Geneva: Putin

Islam Times - Russian President Vladimir Putin has underlined the need for inviting Iran to an international conference on Syria in Geneva, stressing Tehran’s role in the settlement of the Syrian crisis.

"It is better to involve Iran in the settlement (of the Syrian crisis)," Putin told a news conference following talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II on Tuesday.

In any case, it would complicate the process if Iran is ignored, he said.

"The more Syria's neighbors are involved in the settlement process the better. Ignoring these possibilities, these interests would be counterproductive, as diplomats say," he went on to say.

Russia has frequently called for Iran's participation in the meeting on the Syrian crisis due to be held in Geneva on Saturday.

Joint UN and Arab League Special Envoy for Syria Kofi Annan has also said that Iran should play a part in resolving the crisis in Syria.

“I believe Iran should be part of the solution," he told media during a press conference at the United Nations office in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday, June 22.

Syria has been the scene of unrest since mid-March, 2011.

The West and the Syrian opposition accuse the government of killing protesters. But Damascus blames ''outlaws, saboteurs and armed terrorist groups'' for the unrest, insisting that it is being orchestrated from abroad.