The UN special envoy to Syria headed off to Saudi Arabia and Iran on Monday for talks to diffuse tensions between the two countries.

The United Nations special envoy for�Syria traveled to�Saudi Arabia on�Monday, from�where he will head to�Iran for�talks with�the countries' leaders, the UN spokesman said on�Monday.

Saudi Arabia's execution of�a prominent Shia cleric led to�violent protests at�the Saudi embassy in�Tehran, which led to�a breakdown of�relations between�the two countries. The UN envoy for�Yemen also intends to�travel to�the two countries, according to�the spokesman.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had phone calls with�both countries' foreign ministers in�an effort to�diffuse tensions.
"The Secretary-General reiterated that the attack on�the Saudi embassy in�Tehran was deplorable, but�added that the announcement of�a break in�Saudi diplomatic relations with�Tehran was deeply worrying," UN spokesman spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at�a press briefing.


"The Secretary-General urged both Foreign Ministers to�avoid any actions that could further exacerbate the situation between�two countries and in�the region as�a whole. He stressed the importance of�continued constructive engagement by�both countries in�the interest of�the region and beyond," a statement from�the Secretary-General's office said.

The spokesman added that there are currently no plans for�UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to�visit the region, although he is concerned about�the situation.

Saudi Arabia previously cut air traffic with�Iran, and said that it intends to�cut all commercial ties. Saudi allies in�the region followed in�breaking diplomatic relations or reducing embassy staff. Bahrain said that it does not intend to�completely break off�relations.
By Sputnik