Iran Seeks Peacemaker Role in Syria

Twenty-five nations present at conference, but none back rebel forces.

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi called on Thursday for "serious and inclusive" talks between the Syrian government and opposition groups, opening a meeting of friendly nations convened by Tehran as it seeks to exert its influence over the conflict.

More than 25 nations were present at the conference but significantly none of them back the Syrian opposition or have called for President Bashar al-Assad to leave power.

State television broadcast the opening statement of the talks, which Salehi said were attended by delegations from Russia, China, Iraq, Pakistan, Jordan, India, among others.