Iran to talk with US, Saudi Arabia on Syria: Rouhani

Iran is ready to talk with the US, Saudi Arabia and other influential countries over the future of Syria, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday.

"Iran will attend any negotiation, the outcome of which could guarantee the security, stability and democratisation of Syria. To this end, Iran will hold talks with any regional states and powers," Rouhani said in a joint press conference with visiting Austrian President Heinz Fischer.

He said: "What is of importance is the lives of the people and the return of the displaced ones. If this happens in Syria soon, it will be in the interest of the whole world."

The first priority about Syria, as the responsibility of the world community, is "to stop bloodshed and to establish relative security in the country", he said, adding that topics like democracy, elections and the model-government for the Arab state could be discussed next.

The people of Syria will be the sole determiners of the future of their country, of the political system and the government, through the national dialogue.

"No foreign country and powers should decide the future of Syria," he said.