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Moscow urges US: ‘Cooperate with both sides of Syrian conflict’

Published time: July 13, 2012 14:41
Edited time: July 13, 2012 18:41
AFP Photo / Str

In an effort to bring the ongoing crisis in Syria to a peaceful settlement, Russia is calling on Washington to work more actively both with government officials and the opposition.

­At a meeting with US Ambassador Michael McFaul on Friday, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov stressed that Russia continues to work “with Damascus and various groups of the Syrian opposition” in an effort to end the 16-month crisis.

The Russian side expressed the hope that the US “will act in the same fashion," the Foreign Ministry said.

The meeting between Russia’s Deputy Minister and Ambassador McFaul comes as the UN monitoring mission in Syria is scheduled to expire at the end of next week. Russian diplomats want to see the UN mission extended, together with an immediate ceasefire between the conflicting parties.

Following their meeting, the Russian and American sides released a joint statement, which read: "The parties confirmed the shared desire to comply with Annan's plan approved by the UNSC and the provisions of the Final Communique of the ministerial meeting of the Action Group in Geneva."

"Bogdanov stressed the need for strict compliance by all parties…to the obligations attributed to the [United Nations] documents, with the goal of achieving a peaceful resolution in the Syrian crisis," the Foreign Ministry said.

Meanwhile, Kofi Annan, UN-Arab League envoy to Syria, is scheduled to hold talks with Russian leaders in Moscow on Monday, his spokesman Ahmad Fawzi announced on Friday.

In keeping with Moscow’s efforts to engage both sides in the conflict, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met prominent Syrian opposition activist Michel Kilo in Moscow on July 9; the negotiation process continued two days later when Lavrov met with Abdel Basset Sayda, the head of the oppositional Syrian National Council (SNC).

Lavrov put forward Russia's position that the most effective way for the Syrian government and opposition groups to resolve their longstanding conflict is to follow the Annan Plan.

"By having backed the [Annan] peace plan, we confirmed a commitment [by both sides in the conflict] to immediately cease violence and enter into a dialogue,” the Russian minister said following his talks with Sayda.

“This will allow the Syrians themselves to decide on their fate," Lavrov stressed.

Robert Bridge, RT

Comments (28)

A.Oscar 06.08.2012 17:54

  I have some idea which is to explain: I knew last month what Israel want to do; and I mention about it, because can’t trust USA and Israel, manipulation and propaganda is more than they can handle anymore. In the Mediterranean: his there many war ships for contra balance Russian war ships; Russians must get prepare in advance, if the American, and NATO navy attacks Russian navy, without any hesitation, Russian submarines with nuclear missiles, also air-planes already equipped, also with nuclear weapons, to contra attack without any warn. Now must be ready without any explanations to attack Israel and US at New York and Washington. Iran should be supplied with weapons of Mass Destruction to defend himself, the same way US did to Israel which has around one hundred. The world may going into a catastrophe, but the two countries Israel and US do not care about no body, inclusive own citizens, which the economy there it’s so bad, more than fifty million people eating with stamps government supplyin g to them, but not enough for meat or fish. Russia is only what the world has for a back up. USA now using NATO forces, but the boss continues to be USA. I do not trust them governments. I read Iran having many oil tanks (ships) full of oil, could be in any place a strong weapon. A.Oscar

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A.Oscar 06.08.2012 17:27

Can’t trust USA and Israel: what all of them having on Mind; is control Syria to go into Iran, that no one could change the Hews Mind. USA are dominated By Israel; in the account of both Parties be financial by the Jews in America, for propaganda purpose, to win the white house. Now I give all of you to understand the selfishness of USA and Israel.  The wo rld real getting nuts: now I believe the end of the world could be this year; with stupid ideas from USA, NATO and Israel, and now the milk shake from Saudi’s want to conquer Russia from South, after through Damascus Iran, and after China. Those guys must have knock with a heads many times. Russia by themselves: will destroy the Antarctica, than you going to heard; a few America navy ships, inclusive aircraft carrier into Wall Street of New York. The Earth will get a transformation into a terrible catastrophe. We are towards a lunatic type of humans. Russia have more nuclear than USA and both having more than 20.000 Nukes. Click below   Via www.WayneMadsenRepor t.com  

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Ali (unregistered) 19.07.2012 09:54

How on earth can you support both sides of a conflict when their demands are mutually exclusive? If that's the best Lavorov can do, it doesn't say a great deal for the state of Russian politics. Assad wants to hold on to power until elections in 2014. Syrian people want democracy now. Wheres the problem? Assad should arrange a vote of confidence across Syria, and agree to abide by the result. He's too scared, dictator that he is.

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