Syria talks should not focus on ousting Assad: Russian FM
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says that the upcoming Syria talks should not be based on demands for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down.
Speaking at a press conference in the Armenian capital Yerevan on Monday, Lavrov said that such an approach was “simplistic” and that the summit should be instead focused on agreeing delegates for the Syrian opposition and which groups should be considered as extremists.
He noted that Russia had already shared its “list of terrorist organizations" with its partners on Syria, and that during the upcoming rounds of talks, scheduled for the weekend, Moscow expects the drawing up of a “unified list, so that there are no issues about who is striking whom and who is supporting whom."
The previous negotiations about the Syrian crisis were held in the Austrian capital Vienna on October 30, bringing together top diplomats from 17 countries, including Iran, as well as envoys from the United Nations and the European Union.
Lavrov also called for wider participation in the talks, saying that following this weekend’s summit, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League should be included.
"There will be another meeting in the nearest future in an enlarged format... that is about 20 countries and organizations," he said.
The foreign-backed militancy in Syria, which flared in March 2011, has so far claimed the lives of over 250,000 people and displaced millions of others.
‘Extremely critical’ to avoid Syria being dragged into war: UN evnoy
Israel launches air strikes on Syria-Lebanon border crossing
US vetoing of Gaza ceasefire resolution ‘disgraceful’: Iran’s UN envoy
VIDEO | Sydney protests demand action as Israel faces ICC warrant for war crimes
Iran to host ‘important’ ECO foreign ministers' meeting in Mashhad
Wounded in Israeli strike, health of Kamal Adwan Hospital's director worsens
VIDEO | Press TV's News Headlines
Iran reports 11% drop in domestic red meat supply
Arab League affirms support for Iraq amid Israel's threats of military action
VIDEO | Fierce fight in Southern Lebanon
Over 1000 medics killed in Gaza as Israel systematically targets hospitals
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
