"Now that Iran has assumed presidency of the NAM, I know that the country and its people can play a bigger role in the international community and have further cooperation with the UN," Ban Ki-moon said in a press conference after his meeting with Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani today.
He added that Iran can play much beneficial role in resolving the existing issues in the international community and the Middle-East.
"I am here to tell the Iranian authorities that Iran can play an important role in the peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis," Ban Ki-moon said.
Speaking to reporters upon arrival at Tehran's International Mehrabad Airport, Ban Ki-moon had informed the media that the crisis in Syria and regional issues are the main topic of his upcoming talks with senior Iranian officials in Tehran.
The UN chief noted Iran's key role in the settlement of the Syrian crisis, and said, "During my visit to Tehran, I plan to meet with senior Iranian officials, including the country's leaders, in this regard."
Ban Ki-moon arrived in Tehran to attend the 16th NAM heads-of-state summit and confer with Iranian officials on different regional and international developments.
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Publish Date: 29 August 2012 - 20:22
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed Iran's influential role on the international scene, specially after Iran's presidency over the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and stressed that Tehran can play a key role in resolving the current crisis in Syria.