Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met Wednesday with Syrian President Bashar al- Assad on regional challenges, such as terrorism and preparation for the Geneva II peace conference that aims to solve the Syrian conflict, state-run SANA news agency reported.

During his meeting with Zarif, who flew in Damascus earlier in the day, Assad warned of the danger of the radicalism, stressing that it was a threat to the whole world, not just the countries in the region, the SANA reported.

Their meeting also highlighted the preparation being made for the upcoming Geneva II peace conference. The Iranian minister said his country backed the Syrian government against "radicalism," emphasizing the need to "uproot" such phenomena.

According to SANA, upon his arrival in Damascus, Zarif called on all parties to work to put an end to radicalism and terrorism, while stressing solving the Syrian crisis relies ultimately on Syrians themselves.

Recent regional and international talks have focused on whether Iran will participate in the upcoming Geneva II peace conference or not, following attempts by Western powers to curb the Islamic republic's participation.

Iran said it would take part in the conference if it is invited without preconditions set by the West. The Persian country has been a main backer of the Syrian government during Syria's long- standing conflict.

The Geneva II conference, slated for Jan. 22, is aimed at engaging warring Syrian parties to seek a solution to the prolonged crisis in their country.