Rouhani warns of "terrorist regimes" during talks with EU's Mogherini

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned about the need to stop the spread of "terrorist regimes," during talks on Saturday with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on the Syrian conflict.

"For regional security the fight against terrorism must have priority," Rouhani said, adding that otherwise more "terrorist regimes" in the Middle East and northern Africa could be expected.

The Iranian president there was only one solution to the Syrian conflict: To allow the Syrian people to vote for their leaders. Mogherini was to head to Riyadh later in the day, for talks with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, a major provider of arms to several Syrian rebel groups trying to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Regional powers Iran and Saudi Arabia support opposite sides in the Syrian conflict.

The diplomatic push comes a day after Syrian rebels launched a major assault aimed at breaking the months-long siege of opposition-held districts of Aleppo in northern Syria.    (dpa)

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