Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman travelled to Tehran to discuss regional developments -- mainly Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, and Palestine -- with Iranian officials.

A meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Feltman on August 26, mulled leading regional and international issues, particularly developments in Syria, Lebanon and Egypt, Press TV reported.

Iran's Foregn Minster Zarif said in a meeting that Iran has a resolve to fully cooperate with the United Nations on issues of mutual interests.

He added that Iran played an "active and constructive" role in resolving regional problems and issues including developments in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Zarif stated that Iran has used and will use all its capacities and potentials to maintain and improve peace, stability and security in the region.

The Iranian minister also expressed concern over the spread of violence and extremism in the region.

He emphasized that the UN is the only body that can restore stability and peace to the region in cooperation with influential regional countries.

Reaffirming Iran's stance on settling the crisis in Syria through political approaches, Zarif voiced Tehran's readiness to fully cooperate with the UN in this regard.

Since fighting began in March 2011 between the Syrian Government and opposition groups seeking to oust President Bashar Al-Assad as many as 100,000 people have been killed, including more than 7,000 children.

In addition, almost 2 million have fled to neighbouring countries and a further 4 million have been internally displaced. At least 6.8 million Syrians require urgent humanitarian assistance, half of whom are children.

Feltman, for his part, said Iran played an influential role in regional developments and expressed hope that strengthening cooperation between Tehran and the UN would help the sides promote regional stability and security, fight against terrorism and drug trafficking and improve education, health and treatment.

He added that the UN supports the involvement of all important countries in resolving the Syrian unrest through peaceful channels.

Besides, in the meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Mohammad Mehdi Akhoundzadeh, UN official underlined the importance and the influential role of Iran in the Middle East.

Feltman stressed the importance of cooperation between Iran and the UN in order to tackle ongoing regional crises, particularly the conflict in Syria.

He also expressed optimism over the participation of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in the 68th meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York next month.

Feltman, a former US diplomat, last came to Tehran in August 2012 when Iran hosted the summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).