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Aug 09 2012

UPDATE 5-Iran urges Syrians to talk after Tehran meeting

* Iran calls for talks between Syrian govt and opposition

* Meeting attended by 28 nations, Western powers sceptical

* Joint statement calls for three-month ceasefire

(Adds Salehi quotes, detail on joint statement)

By Marcus George

LONDON, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Iran urged Syrian rebels on Thursday to start talks with President Bashar al-Assad about political reform and said it won international support at a meeting in Tehran for such a strategy to end the conflict.

The Iranian foreign minister insisted Assad's administration - a key ally of Tehran - would not collapse under pressure from abroad and the state broadcaster said a diplomatic gathering attended by Russia, China, India, Jordan and a couple of dozen other states had backed Tehran's call for a three-month truce.

With most countries represented only by their ambassadors and the absence of Western and most Middle Eastern states which have demanded Assad end his family's 40-year rule, analysts saw little impact from the meeting on the continuing violence.

Afterwards, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi told a televised news conference: "The opposition needs to sit down and cooperate with the Syrian government to speed up the reform."

Without naming Western and regional powers which have backed the rebels against Iran's ally Assad, he said: "It will be a mistake to think that with the continuation of pressure and unwise moves, the Syrian leadership would finally collapse.

"With such interference, they are worsening the crisis."

Iranian state television said nations who attended the meeting issued a joint statement backing Iran's call for a three-month ceasefire to allow for talks to take place.

No text was available but the broadcaster cited one element of the statement, saying the meeting "welcomed Iran's suggestion calling on the parties involved to halt the violence for three months in order to follow up talks". It linked a ceasefire to the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in about 10 days.

The statement also included a clause expressing deep concern over the fighting and loss of life and said that national dialogue was the only solution, state television said.

U.N. STATEMENT

The Syrian government has said it is ready for dialogue but the opposition says Assad must step down as a precursor to any negotiations.

Continued hostilities in Aleppo, where the Syrian military is bombarding rebel fighters, make talks unlikely in the near future.

Also present at the Tehran meeting was the United Nations resident coordinator to Tehran, Consuelo Vidal-Bruce, who read out a statement from U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that rebuked both government and opposition for relying on weapons to win through violence.

"There will be no winner in Syria. Now, we face the grim possibility of long-term civil war destroying Syria's rich tapestry of interwoven communities," it said.

"We cannot let this prediction come true."

In an opinion piece published by the Washington Post on Wednesday, Salehi warned there would be catastrophic consequences if Assad fell from power.

"Syrian society is a beautiful mosaic of ethnicities, faiths and cultures, and it will be smashed to pieces should President Bashar al-Assad abruptly fall," it read.

While Salehi said Iran sought a solution that was in "everyone's interest", Western diplomats have dismissed the conference as an attempt to divert attention away from bloody events on the ground and to preserve the rule of Assad.

"The Islamic Republic's support for Assad's regime is hardly compatible with a genuine attempt at conciliation between the parties," said one Western diplomat based in Tehran.

"RUNNING OUT OF IDEAS"

It showed Iran was "running out of ideas", he added.

Another Western diplomat said Tehran was trying to broaden the support base of the Syrian leader.

Along with Russia and China, Iran has strongly supported Assad, whose forces have launched crushing operations against anti-government protesters and armed opposition groups since the crisis erupted 17 months ago.

The Islamic Republic has resisted an agreement on Syria that requires Assad to quit as part of any political transition. There is no sign that Tehran is ready to adopt a new approach, despite setbacks for Assad including the defection this week of his prime minister.

But analysts say the recent signs of cracks in the Syrian leadership have taken Iran by surprise.

"Iran is trying to show strength and regional presence," said Scott Lucas of the EA Worldview news website that specialises in covering Iran. But he noted the timing of Thursday's meeting seemed rushed, given that Tehran will host a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement later this month.

"They seem to be so jittery about Syria, they couldn't afford to wait," Lucas suggested.

Iran's Shi'ite Muslim rulers have accused Western and Sunni Muslim-ruled Arab nations - specifically Tehran's regional rival Saudi Arabia - of fomenting terrorism in Syria by arming opposition groups.

In turn, Syria's mostly Sunni Muslim rebels accuse Tehran of sending military personnel to Syria and of providing light arms, as well as tactical and communications expertise to Syrian government forces.

The crisis has soured Iran's relations with neighbouring Turkey, which has hosted opposition meetings, extended assistance to Syrian refugees and demanded Assad leave office.

"Iran wants to coordinate efforts among countries that don't accept the Western and Saudi approach to Syria," said Mohammad Marandi of Tehran University. "It's a counter-force to the so-called Friends of Syria gathering," he said of an informal grouping involving Western and Arab powers and Turkey.

(Reporting by Marcus George; Additional reporting by Yeganeh Torbati and Zahra Hosseinian,; Editing by Alastair Macdonald)

((marcus.george@thomsonreuters.com)(+971 56 655 2056))

Keywords: IRAN SYRIA/CONFERENCE

UPDATE 2-Iran says abrupt Assad fall would be "catastrophic"

* Iran warns against abrupt Assad fall
* Ahmadinejad says purpose to supplant military clashes

* Russia to attend but doubts over attendance of other major players

(Recasts, updates countries attending)

By Marcus George

LONDON, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Iran said an abrupt end to the rule of President Bashar al-Assad would have catastrophic consequences for his country, as Tehran pushed ahead with a diplomatic meeting of allies it says is the best way of resolving the intensifying conflict in Syria.

Nations with "a correct and realistic position" would attend a meeting on Thursday in Tehran to discuss the conflict, a senior Iranian diplomat said this week, indicating that no nation that backs the opposition and calls for Assad to leave power would be present.

Russia - which along with Iran has strongly supported Assad since the crisis erupted 17 months ago - has said it will attend the meeting at ambassadorial level but it was unclear which other key players would be present.

Iranian media has reported that China would also be present, along with at least 15 others, including Iraq, Algeria, Tajikistan, Venezuela, Pakistan, India and several members of the Arab League.

In an opinion piece published by the Washington Post on Wednesday, Iranian foreign minister Ali Akbar Salehi warned that the fall of Assad would lead to further unrest.

"Syrian society is a beautiful mosaic of ethnicities, faiths and cultures, and it will be smashed to pieces should President Bashar al-Assad abruptly fall," it read.

While Salehi said Iran sought a solution that was in "everyone's interest", Western diplomats have dismissed the conference as an attempt to divert attention away from bloody events on the ground and to preserve the rule of Assad.

"The Islamic Republic's support for Assad's regime is hardly compatible with a genuine attempt at conciliation between the parties," said one Western diplomat based in Tehran.

It showed Iran was "running out of ideas", he added. Another Western diplomat said Tehran was trying to broaden the support base of the Syrian leader.

Along with Russia and China, Iran has strongly supported Assad, whose forces have launched crushing operations against anti-government protesters and armed opposition groups since the crisis erupted 17 months ago.

The Islamic Republic has resisted an agreement on Syria that requires Assad to quit as part of any political transition. There is no sign that Tehran is ready to adopt a new approach, despite setbacks for Assad including the defection this week of his prime minister.

But analysts say the recent signs of cracks in the Syrian leadership have taken Iran by surprise.

"Iran is trying to show strength and regional presence, but if they were going to make a big play why not do it at the Non-Aligned Movement summit (taking place in Tehran in late August)?" said Scott Lucas of the EA Worldview news website that specialises in covering Iran.

"They seem to be so jittery about Syria, they couldn't afford to wait," he added.

ACCUSATIONS

Iran's Shi'ite rulers have accused Western and Arab nations - specifically Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia - of fomenting terrorism in Syria by arming opposition groups.

In turn, Syria's mostly Sunni Muslim rebels accuse Tehran of sending military personnel to Syria and of providing light arms, as well as tactical and communications expertise to Syrian government forces.

The crisis has soured Iran's relations with neighbouring Turkey which has hosted opposition meetings, extended assistance to Syrian refugees and demanded Assad leave office.

"Iran wants to co-ordinate efforts among countries that don't accept the Western and Saudi approach to Syria," said Mohammad Marandi of Tehran University. "It's a counter-force to the so-called Friends of Syria gathering."

Iranian involvement in the crisis has been complicated by the seizure by rebels of 48 Iranians in Syria on Saturday on suspicion of being military personnel. Tehran has said they were pilgrims, but acknowledged that some of the men were retired soldiers or Revolutionary Guards.

Iranian officials have engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts in the region this week.

On Tuesday, while Foreign Minister Salehi was in Ankara trying to maintain relations, the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili was in Damascus to reassure Assad of Tehran's support.

"They're in chaos in terms of the bureaucracy. There have been lots of statements but no-one's co-ordinating it," said EA Worldview's Scott Lucas.

The meeting comes just days before a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation set to focus on Syria. In recent days Iran has warned the Muslim world of the threat posed to it by the United States.

"In the new plan that the Americans have provided for the Middle East, they have foreseen changes for all countries," Iran's state news agency quoted Ahmadinejad as saying on Wednesday.

"I am certain they have plans for changes in Saudi Arabia as well ... they do not want Muslim countries to have power and in opposition we must stand together more than before," he added.

(Reporting by Marcus George; Additional reporting by Yeganeh Torbati and Zahra Hosseinian,; Editing by Rosalind Russell and Giles Elgood)

((marcus.george@thomsonreuters.com)(+971 56 655 2056))

Keywords: IRAN SYRIA/CONFERENCE

UPDATE 1-Iran hosts Syria conference, West sceptical

* Ahmadinejad says purpose to supplant military clashes

* Russia to attend but doubts over attendance of other major players

(Adds detail on participating countries, Salehi op-ed)

By Marcus George

DUBAI, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Iran has launched its latest diplomatic initiative to resolve the intensifying conflict in Syria, warning that the abrupt fall of president Bashar al-Assad would have catastrophic consequences for the country.

At least 12 nations with "a correct and realistic position" would attend a meeting on Thursday in Tehran to discuss the conflict, a senior Iranian diplomat said this week, indicating that no nation that backs the opposition and calls for Assad to leave power would be present.

Russia - which along with Iran has strongly supported Assad since the crisis erupted 17 months ago - has said it will attend the meeting at ambassadorial level but it was unclear which other key players would be present.

Iranian media has reported that China would also be present, along with Algeria, Tajikistan, Venezuela, Pakistan, India and six members of the Arab League but there was no independent confirmation.

In an opinion piece published by the Washington Post on Wednesday, Iranian foreign minister Ali Akbar Salehi warned that the fall of Assad would catastrophic consequences for the countries.

"Syrian society is a beautiful mosaic of ethnicities, faiths and cultures, and it will be smashed to pieces should President Bashar al-Assad abruptly fall," it read.

While Salehi said Iran sought a solution that was in "everyone's interest", Western diplomats have dismissed the conference as an attempt to divert attention away from bloody events on the ground and to preserve the rule of Assad.

"The Islamic Republic's support for Assad's regime is hardly compatible with a genuine attempt at conciliation between the parties," said one Western diplomat based in Tehran.

It showed Iran was "running out of ideas", he added. Another Western diplomat said Tehran was trying to broaden the support base of the Syrian leader.

Along with Russia and China, Iran has strongly supported Assad whose forces have launched crushing operations against anti-government protesters and armed opposition groups since the crisis erupted 17 months ago.