Iran's Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi has called for a comprehensive national dialogue in Syria, to move it out of the current crisis. He said this during an international consultative meeting on Syria in Tehran.

Ali Akbar Salehi, Iranian Foreign Minister, said, "The Syrian crisis can only be resolved through serious and inclusive talks between the government and opposition groups that enjoy popular support in Syria."

Salehi said the aim of the ongoing meeting is to help Syrians, and find a solution to the violence. The foreign minister added Iran has always emphasized diplomatic ways to restore peace and implement political reforms in Syria. He criticized international sanctions for not having helped the interests of the Syrian people, but made them suffer further, while Iran has sent them humanitarian aid.

Representatives of more than 20 countries are attending the consultative meeting on Syria, under the slogan "Stop Violence, National Dialogue."