Moscow will host a trilateral meeting of foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Syria Mohammad Javad Zarif, Sergei Lavrov and Walid Al-Muallem, Tasim news agency reported on Jan.15. During the meeting the sides will discuss issues concerning the Geneva-2 agreement. On Jan.13, a meeting in Paris between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and UN-Arab League envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi discussed the possibility of establishing a local truce on the eve of the Geneva talks.
It was also stated that the possibility of an exchange of prisoners between the conflicting parties is being considering as well.
Sergei Lavrov and Lakhdar Brahimi also said Iran should take part in the negotiations. This idea is opposed by the United States.
On Jan.16, Zarif is expected to hold a meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
The parties are to discuss bilateral and regional issues.
During the conflict in Syria which began in March 2011, more than 115,000 people were killed in the country and over 4.2 million became refugees in Syrian territory and two million fled to neighbouring countries. The main burden of receiving refugees lay on Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. The total population of Syria before the conflict amounted to 20 million. /Trend/
