Syrian PresidentBashar al-Assad (C) meets with his official delegation to theGeneva II peace conference aimed at resolving the nation'slong-running crisis, in Damascus, Jan. 20, 2014. Bashar al-Assadurged the delegation to preserve Syria's sovereignty, rejectforeign intervention and put the interests of the Syrian people inthe first place. (Xinhua/SANA)

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with his official delegation to the Geneva II peace conference aimed at resolving the nation's long-running crisis, the state TV reported Monday.

Assad urged the delegation to preserve Syria's sovereignty, reject foreign intervention and put the interests of the Syrian people in the first place, the TV said.

The Geneva II peace conference will open on Jan. 22 in Switzerland with the participation of both the Syrian government and the opposition.

Earlier Monday, the Syrian National Coalition, the main opposition umbrella group in exile, suspended its decision to participate in the conference following the UN's invitation to Iran.

The Western-backed coalition said repeatedly that it refuses Tehran's participation due to its supportive stance to the Assad administration.