Syrian Opposition Figure Asks for Iran-Saudi Arabia Talks over Syrian Crisis

(FNA)- Haitham Manna, a Paris-based veteran Syrian opposition figure, slammed the Doha and Ankara governments for supporting Takfiri terrorists, and called on Iran and Saudi Arabia to hold talks on the ongoing crisis in Syria.

"Iran and Saudi Arabia are two main poles in the region that should closely work on resolving the regional crises, including the Syrian crisis, because an understanding between these two countries will leave positive influence on others," the Arabic-language Suriya al-Aan news website quoted Manna as saying on Saturday.

He asked Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to directly hold talks with Saudi Arabia, and said, "The region is currently in a volatile situation and it needs Tehran and Riyadh governments to hold talks at the highest levels."

Iran is submitting a new peace plan to the United Nations in favor of a political settlement in Syria.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said the plan, drafted after "detailed consultations" between Damascus and Tehran, is an amended version of an Iranian initiative presented last year.

According to the Iranian official, the new proposal amounts to "one of the most effective and serious plans on the agenda of the UN and international players.

The initiative comes amid a strategic change in the attitude of some “Assad must go” regional players with regard to Syria. But that’s not the only reason. The Pentagon’s program to train “moderate” militants in Syria is in tatters too.