GENEVA (Reuters) - Iran must be part of any solution to end the crisis in Syria and pave the way for a political transition, but time is running out because world powers are failing to agree on the next steps, international mediator Kofi Annan warned on Friday. Iran, an ally and neighbour of Syria, is the subject of a standoff between the United States and Russia, which differ not only on resolving Syria, but also on Iran's nuclear programme. Annan wants the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and governments with influence on Syria's government or the opposition to agree on recommendations for next steps at a meeting that has been pencilled in for June 30 in Geneva. But Iran's involvement is opposed by the United States, Britain and France, but Annan said it should be at the table. "We are discussing the composition and other aspects of the meeting, but I have made it quite clear that I believe Iran should be part of the solution," Annan told a news conference in Geneva. In response to Annan's remarks, the U.S. State Department repeated its opposition to Iran taking part, saying Tehran was playing a "destructive" role in Syria.Source: The Coming Crisis
