Russia reiterates support for peace efforts in Syria

Russia has reiterated support for efforts of the UN and the Arab League to achieve a truce in Syria and the start of political dialogue, in the spirit of the agreements of the Geneva conference. Sergei Lavrov said that it is crucial to help with the pacification of the Syrian situation to pave the way for negotiations between the warring parties.

Russia reiterated on Monday (29th) support for efforts of the UN and the Arab League to achieve a truce in Syria and the start of political dialogue, in the spirit of the agreements of the Geneva conference.

By completing the official talks with the UN envoy and the Arab League (A), Lakhdar Brahimi, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, said that it is crucial in these times to help with the pacification of the Syrian situation in order to pave the way for negotiations between the warring parties.

He said that, from the start, his country backed the work of Brahimi and his team, in relation to the truce proposal to the Syrian government and armed opposition groups, who have been called to respect the ceasefire.

In this respect, Lavrov urged all international actors to send to parties in Syria the same signal, "stop the violence and start negotiations."

He said that both (he and Brahimi) share the value and the validity of the statement issued in Geneva in preparation for the conference on Syria last June, which reflects "a more extended position within the international community with the participation of nearly all major international players."

The chancellor noted that, in essence, the document stresses the need to quickly cease any kind of violence on the part of the government and the opposition and to initiate dialogue.

On this basis, Moscow supported the  truce initiative of the UN envoy during the Muslim festival of Eid Adha (Day of Sacrifice), although the true end to hostilities have not been achieved in that Arab country, where attacks and bombings continue on the part of the armed opposition, Lavrov noted.

The head of Russian diplomacy said that, compared to the situation of ongoing violence, the main task should focus on convincing the parties on a real ceasefire and the chance to sit at the negotiating table.

He added that for this reason, Russia will support the return to Syria of the UN observer mission, but advised other international actors "not to agitate any of the parties to continue the violence."

Brahimi, meanwhile, said he is willing to cooperate with all parties to end the large scale bloodbath in Syria.

He stressed the Syrian people deserve this support, and at the same time lamented that the call to cease hostilities has not been heard.

The diplomat explained that for now there are no plans to send an observer mission to Damascus, and only preparatory work is being carried out in case an emergency situation arises, he added.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that only the Syrians can decide the future political configuration of the state, at the behest of national dialogue, without interference or impositions from abroad.

Source: Prensa Latina



Translated from the Portuguese version by:

Lisa Karpova
Pravda.Ru