UN fears Saudi Iran fallout on Syria Yemen
United Nations United States:The United Nations moved quickly on Monday to shelter peace efforts in Syria and Yemen from the diplomatic storm unleashed by Saudi Arabia's break in relations with Iran.
UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura traveled to Riyadh for talks and was to head later this week to Tehran to seek assurances that hard-won gains in the Syria peace process were not in jeopardy.
De Mistura is counting on broad support to launch peace talks between President Bashar al-Assad's government and the opposition in Geneva on January 25 -- the culmination of a three-month effort involving all key players.
Saudi Arabia cut off diplomatic ties with Iran on Sunday after angry protesters ransacked and set fire to the Saudi Embassy in Tehran over the execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke by phone with the Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers to urge them to "avoid any actions that could further exacerbate the situation" said Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
"A breakdown of relations between Riyadh and Tehran could have very serious consequences for the region" said Dujarric.
Both Iran and Saudi Arabia have a crucial role in the diplomatic push to end the nearly five-year war in Syria and to bring about a political settlement for Yemen.
Saudi Ambassador Abdallah al-Mouallimi said the break in relations with Iran "should have no effect because we will continue to work very hard to support the peace efforts in Syria and Yemen."
The envoy said Saudi Arabia will attend the next round of Syria talks but he also took a swipe at Iran's role in the diplomatic push to end the war in Syria.
"The Iranians even before the break of diplomatic relations have not been very supportive not very positive in these peace efforts" said Mouallimi.
AFP