Lavrov Urges Syrian Opposition to Talk to Regime

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The Syrian opposition should enter into talks with the regime of President Bashar Assad and put together a negotiating team, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday after talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

"We are counting on the opposition, who will be meeting with representatives of Western and a number of regional countries in Rome, to also declare itself in favor of dialogue because they have voiced contradictory statements on that account and not only declare but also name their negotiating team," Russian news agencies quoted Lavrov as saying in Berlin.

Lavrov earlier Tuesday slammed "extremists" within the Syrian opposition he said were blocking the start of dialogue in war-torn Syria.

On Monday he hosted Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem in Moscow, who in a ground-breaking statement said the Assad regime was ready for talks with armed rebels.

"They (representatives of the Assad regime) assured us that they both have a negotiating team and are ready to start dialogue as soon as possible," Lavrov was quoted as saying in Berlin.

He added that he and Kerry agreed at the meeting to do their best to help start talks in the war-torn country.

"On Syria the most important is that we confirmed our common understanding of the intolerance of continuing violence and through this intolerance our determination to do everything that depends on Russia and the United States," Russian news agencies quoted Lavrov as saying.

"Of course, not everything depends on us but what does depend we will do to create conditions that will facilitate the start of dialogue between the government and the opposition as soon as possible.

"No-one will solve their problems for Syrians but in order for this decision to begin being discussed it is necessary to sit down at the negotiating table."

Comments 5
Default-user-icon MUSTAPHA O. GHALAYINI (Guest) 26 February 2013, 23:36

talk about what popov?naval base? migs?soviet union is history long time ago,go back to ur don corleone mafia boss.

Thumb andre.jabbour 27 February 2013, 00:33

FSA should initiate talks with the dead bodies of the assad regime!

Thumb kanaandian 27 February 2013, 04:08

FSA are Islamist filth just like Assad.
Kerry stay the hell away from this, let both sides finish each other off to a point where they are rendered equally harmless.

Thumb primesuspect 27 February 2013, 04:15

Debka is a piece of trash. It's politicized by israel who also happen to be Assad's allies as well as US. Israel is also Russia's ally although they're closer to the US. None of their press releases can be objective or constructive. I suggest you turn to other media to inform yourself!

Missing peace 27 February 2013, 17:12

yes, that is why israel prefers assad to stay in power because he protects the golan for them... that is why israel is afraid of he outcoming if assad goes , the new regime may want to liberate the golan while assad maintains it as the quietest front!
josh you d better think a bit before making yourself ridiculous as usual....