Russia: 'mistake' but not 'catastrophe' to dis-invite Iran to Syria peace talks

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the UN's decision to revoke its invitation to Iran for the Geneva II peace talks a "mistake" but not "a catastrophe."

On Monday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon revoked an invitation extended to Iran a day earlier to participate in the January 22 peace talks. The decision, the UN explained, was based on Iran's failure to support the Geneva Communique, considered the foundation for the Geneva II session.

Lavrov criticized the UN's explanation for revoking the invite, claiming that the UN was demanding Iran support regime change for Syria, a stipulation Russia says is absent from the Geneva Communique.

According to the Russian government, the purpose of both the communique and up-coming meeting is to bring together the Syrian government and opposition for direct talks concerning "territorial integrity, rejection of terrorism and protection of minorities, and nothing beyond that." Lavrov contended that if the same demands were placed on Russia, Russia's participation would be revoked as well based on their interpretation of the communique.

“It’s like they are turning things upside down. We too insist that the Geneva communiqué was not subject to any interpretations, including those implying regime change. Do we not satisfy the demands of those who insisted on revoking Iran’s invitation? Do they not invite us now? That is absurd."

Lavrov blamed UN members supportive of Syrian regime change for pressuring Ban to rescind Iran's invitation.

Opposition to Iranian participation also came from the Syrian National Coalition, the main opposition group. SNC spokesman Louay Safi said Iran's participation at Geneva II would have been "a deal-breaker" and that Ban "did the right thing" in revoking Iran's invitation.

The UN is the convener of Geneva II, with both the U.S. and Russia serving as co-hosts for the peace talks.

[RT] [CNN]