'Elders' Visit Iran, Call For End To Syria 'Nightmare'

Former UN chief Kofi Annan (center), former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari (left), and former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo read a statement to the press in Tehran on January 27.

A delegation of former world leaders known as "The Elders" has come to Iran and called for an end to what they described as Syria's "nightmare."

The group, led by former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, met in Tehran with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

The Iranian government has been a leading supporter of the Syrian regime during the nearly three-year-old Syrian war.

The "Elders" group was formed in 2007 and is composed of 12 former global leaders who, according to the group's website, seek to promote peace, justice, and human rights.

Annan arrived in Tehran accompanied by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, South African Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu, and former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP