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David Cameron to meet Iranian president over Syria conflict | David Cameron to meet Iranian president over Syria conflict |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Prime Minister David Cameron will hold face-to-face talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as part of a bid to revive the Syrian peace process. | Prime Minister David Cameron will hold face-to-face talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as part of a bid to revive the Syrian peace process. |
The pair will meet on Tuesday in New York, where they are both attending a United Nations summit. | The pair will meet on Tuesday in New York, where they are both attending a United Nations summit. |
Mr Cameron said he hoped to bolster regional support for a political settlement in Syria. | Mr Cameron said he hoped to bolster regional support for a political settlement in Syria. |
Efforts to engage Tehran in a push to end Syria's civil war have been spurred by a thaw in relations with the west. | Efforts to engage Tehran in a push to end Syria's civil war have been spurred by a thaw in relations with the west. |
Last month, the British embassy in Iran reopened nearly four years after it was closed after it was stormed by protesters during a demonstration against sanctions. | Last month, the British embassy in Iran reopened nearly four years after it was closed after it was stormed by protesters during a demonstration against sanctions. |
And in July, Tehran reached a deal with six world powers aimed at curbing its nuclear programme. | And in July, Tehran reached a deal with six world powers aimed at curbing its nuclear programme. |
'Syria's future' | 'Syria's future' |
Iran has been a close ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in recent years. | Iran has been a close ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in recent years. |
Mr Cameron is expected to drop his opposition to President Assad playing a role in any transitional government during talks with a number of leaders in New York. | Mr Cameron is expected to drop his opposition to President Assad playing a role in any transitional government during talks with a number of leaders in New York. |
But on Sunday he told reporters President Assad had "butchered his own people" and was "one of the great recruiting sergeants" for so-called Islamic State. | But on Sunday he told reporters President Assad had "butchered his own people" and was "one of the great recruiting sergeants" for so-called Islamic State. |
"He can't play a part in the future of Syria and that position hasn't changed," the PM continued. | "He can't play a part in the future of Syria and that position hasn't changed," the PM continued. |
"Obviously conversations about how we bring about transition are very important and that's what we need to see greater emphasis on." | "Obviously conversations about how we bring about transition are very important and that's what we need to see greater emphasis on." |
Asked if he believed Mr Assad should face prosecution at the International Criminal Court, Mr Cameron said: "People who break international law should be subject to international law." | Asked if he believed Mr Assad should face prosecution at the International Criminal Court, Mr Cameron said: "People who break international law should be subject to international law." |
'Comprehensive plan' | 'Comprehensive plan' |
But Mr Rouhani said it was essential the regime stayed in place. | |
"If we are to succeed in defeating terrorism, the government in Damascus cannot be weakened. It must be able to carry on the fight," he added. | |
Mr Cameron is attending several sessions at the UN but will not join Mr Rouhani, US president Barack Obama, Russian president Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping in making a keynote speech. | Mr Cameron is attending several sessions at the UN but will not join Mr Rouhani, US president Barack Obama, Russian president Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping in making a keynote speech. |
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn criticised that decision. | Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn criticised that decision. |
"What matters now is a broad and comprehensive plan as the foundation for a political solution to the conflict and a new United Nations Security Council resolution," he said. | "What matters now is a broad and comprehensive plan as the foundation for a political solution to the conflict and a new United Nations Security Council resolution," he said. |
"That's why it is so disappointing that David Cameron isn't showing leadership and unlike other world leaders won't be speaking at the UN this week." | "That's why it is so disappointing that David Cameron isn't showing leadership and unlike other world leaders won't be speaking at the UN this week." |
In his speech at the Labour Party conference, shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn called on the prime minister to "strain every sinew" over Syria at the summit. |