Officials from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran,
the so-called Syria Quartet, will meet in Cairo today to discuss the worsening
crisis in Syria. (Reuters, 10 September)
The quartet has recently been assembled by Egyptian
President Morsi to find a solution for Syria. Iran is a staunch supporter and
ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while the three other countries have
called for him to quit power. This division makes it difficult, if not
impossible, to find a solution supported by all members of the quartet. But
considering the critical humanitarian situation on the ground, any such
gathering could be considered a step in the right direction.
On Iran side, Deputy Foreign
Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian would lead the country's delegation at quartet talks in Cairo.
