Iranian Diplomat, Syrian Dissidents Meet in Sochi

The talks were held separately on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress brokered by Russia, Iran, and Turkey in Sochi.

During the talks, Jaberi Ansari and the Syrian dissidents exchanged views on the subjects discussed during the Syrian National Dialogue Congress and explored ways to restore peace and security to the war-stricken Syria.

The Syrian national opposition figures who held talks with the Iranian official included Haytham Manna from National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change; Elian Mousad, a leader of Syria’s internal opposition; Louay Hussein, the leader of Building the Syrian State; Randa Qassis, the Chairwoman of the Movement for a Pluralistic Society; Mayis al-Karidi, the head of National Democratic Action Authority; Mouna Ghanem, the Deputy Head of Building the Syrian State; and Asma Kuftaro, a female advisor to UN’s Envoy for Syria.

The Syrian National Dialogue Congress was held in Sochi on Tuesday. Political delegations from Iran, Russia and Turkey, as the three countries which initiated the negotiations, as well as a UN delegation led by Staffan de Mistura attended the talks.

About 1,600 delegates representing organizations approved by the Syrian government also participated in the conference.

The Congress wrapped up with a final statement that set up a 150-member committee tasked with creating a draft constitution.

The final statement endorsed the country’s territorial integrity and called for self-determination through “democratic” elections.

The statement further called for the maintenance of Syria’s security forces, but insisted they must “operate within the law.”