Iran not to accept Geneva communique

TEHRAN - Iran will participate in the upcoming Geneva II conference on Syria without accepting the 2012 Geneva communique, a top Iranian lawmaker was quoted as saying by Press TV on Monday.

The Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Iran's Majlis (parliament) Alaeddin Boroujerdi referred to a UN invitation to Iran to participate in this week's Syria peace conference in Geneva, saying that the invitation shows they have realized the fact that the event will be a non-starter without Iran's presence.

"Insisting that Iran won't accept any preconditions, it is expected to attend the upcoming Geneva talks at a high-level to help the Syrian government and nation get rid of the crisis imposed on the country," Boroujerdi was quoted as saying.

Iran has received UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's invitation to attend Geneva II peace talks on Syria, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Monday.

Amir-Abdollahian declined to comment on whether Tehran will attend the conference, according to Press TV.

The United States said Sunday that a UN invitation to Iran to participate in this week's Syria peace conference in Geneva should be rescinded unless Tehran "fully and publicly" accepts the Geneva I communique.

The invitation should be withdrawn unless Tehran publicly states its support for the full implementation of the Geneva I communique signed in 2012, which agreed to establish a transitional governing body in Syria, US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.