Iran’s FM in London for Syria Donor Conference

Speaking to reports upon his arrival in London’s Gatwick Airport, Zarif said the conference provides an opportunity for Iran to express its stances towards the crisis in Syria and the supports that Tehran has been providing for the Syrian people for years.

The conference is also an opportunity to hold talks with the participants, have sideline meetings with the British officials and attend gatherings in the British research institutes, the top Iranian diplomat added.

Zarif also noted that he will use the opportunity in London to negotiate on “the best way to implement the JCPOA” – a comprehensive nuclear deal between Iran and world powers - and address the regional issues, including the talks for peace in Syria and Yemen.

Some 70 leaders from around the world are attending today’s conference in London, which is being jointly hosted by Britain, Germany, Norway, Kuwait and the United Nations.

The event is built on 3 previous conferences that have been held in Kuwait.

The 2016 UN inter-agency appeals for the Syria crisis are an estimated $7.73 billion. An additional $1.2 billion in funding is required by affected regional governments as part of national response plans.

One of the aims of the conference in London is to ensure there are school places for all refugee children in the region by 2017, as well helping the host countries to provide places for their own children.

During his presence in London, the Iranian foreign minister is also scheduled to attend a meeting at Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, for an address on the key issues affecting the Middle East region, including the conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and the threat posed by Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group.

The meeting will be chaired by Sir Richard Dalton, president of the British Iranian Chamber of Commerce, and Britain’s former ambassador to Iran.