Lavrov Wants 'Regular Contact' with Syrian Opposition
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Saturday he wants to keep in regular contact with Syria's opposition after holding his first direct talks with the coalition's leader, Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, Russian news agencies reported.
"I reminded Khatib that after the creation of the coalition and the appointment of their leader, we immediately demonstrated our interest in maintaining regular contact," Lavrov said after the meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
"We will make that happen," he added.
Lavrov had earlier Saturday held separate talks with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and U.N.-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi amid strong disagreement between Moscow and Washington about ways to end the Syria conflict.
Khatib, elected as the head of the coalition late last year, made a surprise announcement Wednesday that his group was ready for dialogue with the Damascus regime under certain conditions. He renewed the proposal in Munich, while rejecting the presence of leaders he said had "blood on their hands."
Lavrov said Moscow "welcomed" the initiative, adding: "If we take into account the fact that the coalition was founded on the refusal to engage in a dialogue with the regime, it's a very important step."
The minister said it meant that "realism prevails," adding that "thinking is headed in the right direction."
Russia's top diplomat also said Moscow shared Washington's concern about the possible use of chemical weapons in Syria but considered the situation to be safe at this stage.
"We coordinate this issue (chemical weapons) with the Americans on a daily basis. We have reliable information that for now, the Syrian government has control of the chemical weapons, that the situation is safe," Lavrov said in his address to the conference.
"I think that this (the use of chemical weapons) is a 'red line' for everyone. We are categorically against the use of any arms," he said.
Russia has blocked three U.N. Security Council resolutions sanctioning Syrian President Bashar Assad for the violent crackdown in his country, and has been blamed by the armed opposition for being partially responsible for the bloodshed.
Talks between Moscow and rebel leaders have been rare and on one previous occasion last year ended with the opposition demanding a formal apology from Russia for its stance.
The U.S. vice president stressed that "great differences" remain between Washington and Moscow.
Biden expressed hope that the international community increases its support for opponents of Assad, whom he called a "tyrant" who must go.
Lavrov also said that John Kerry, the new U.S. secretary of state, should be making his way to Russia soon.
02 February 2013, 16:29
25
There are many stories here. Russians talking with Katib is a huge story. Russians are now discounting the survivability of Assad Regime and so are feeling out the Opposition on issues of concern to Russia. Quid pro quo comes to mind that Russia would trade off support for Assad in exchange for favored treatment by a post-Assad Rebel led government.
Israel bombing SAM rockets inside of Syria, with a free hand and impunity means that they do not fear any international repercussions from going after the Assad Regime.
The thing is coming to a head very soon.
02 February 2013, 18:14
26
A turning point. They're going to silently support the opposition in return of something else....
02 February 2013, 20:37
22
All good news when you see the Russian and American agreeing on one thing.
02 February 2013, 21:42
00
The main reason why Israel exercised its power recently is because there is no trust in up-coming system in Syria, while Assad’s state of political principles is known and valued for its consistence. There is no fear of Assad diplomacy! But, following what has happened in Benghazi in Libya on Egypt recently there is fear of “Opposition element groups” with the sophisticated military equipment and knowledge and religious belief that Europe is afraid of! You got it know!
02 February 2013, 21:43
00
Continued...
Keep in mind that Syrian state has been established as a French mandate, following the famous Sykes-Picot Agreement. This days, France play different role in the region. It has to play the pro-active role by accepting the leadership role in Libya or currently in Mali. Why? Because if you remember the history events, back in 1966,France declared itself as superpower(independent nuclear power Republic)and withdrew itself from NATO structure. And recently they rejoined the alliance. They have to do their best to clarify their European Western Roots. Where Russia following its own principles has been doing what France is not capable to do to save its own existence in Syria because of the factors mentioned above.
02 February 2013, 23:04
21
there is no political solution, problem will be settled by arms unless the Russian start slowly making a uturn which I frankly do not see. this is another maneuvor by the Russians to buy time for the regime. last summer the regime dislodged the Rebels from Damascus. this clear now the situation in Damascus is starting to look like Aleppo and the regime has failed to repel the rebels. This confirms that time is the enemy of the regime. Khatib can't control one klashinkof and the future leaders of syria are actually on the battlefield.
03 February 2013, 00:22
00
Sunnis problem is like this: if you are not with us, we will turn our poor sunnis against you so they will blow themselves and you up.
03 February 2013, 00:26
00
Keep in mind that Syrian state has been established as a French mandate, following the famous Sykes-Picot Agreement. This days, France play different role in the region. It has to play the pro-active role by accepting the leadership role in Libya or currently in Mali. Why? Because if you remember the history events, back in 1966, France declared itself as superpower (independent nuclear power Republic) and withdrew itself from NATO structure. And recently they re-joined the alliance.They have to do their best to clarify their European Western Roots. read bellow ....
03 February 2013, 00:26
00
Where Russia following its own principles has been doing what France is not capable to do, to save its own existence in Syria because of the factors mentioned above.The main reason why Israel exercised its power recently in Syria because there is no trust in up-coming system in Syria, while Assad’s state of political principles is known and valued for its consistence. There is no fear of Assad's diplomacy! But, following what has happened in Benghazi in lybia or Egypt recently there is a fear of “Opposition element groups” with the sophisticated military equipment and the knowledge and religious belief that Europe is afraid off!. You got it know!
03 February 2013, 00:33
00
Please do your best and dispal 2 comments that was made if you believe in opinions of others. Do not have your own prejudice. Conversation is a good thing. What is the purpose of having this dialog box if it has only one colour, one thoughts. My way , or simply no way!
03 February 2013, 06:40
00
You r talking to yourself. People like you never believed anything would happen in Damascus And Aleppo a year ago. Just imagine bow things are gona be year and two from now. The revolution is slowly winning. It took the afghanis ten years to dislodge the USSR, revolutions take time. The minority rules of Syria is coming to an end. The dispute is how it would end.
