Lavrov: Use of force to solve Syria crisis futile

Moscow, SANA-Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pointed to the futility of the use of force for solving crisis in Syria.

“The use of force to solve the crisis in Syria would be futile,” Lavrov said during his meeting with his US counterpart John Kerry, an option which he said should give way to jump-starting comprehensive political dialogue between the Syrian government and opposition based on a recent consultative meeting held in Moscow.

In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the pair came together for a meeting to exchange viewpoints as regards the crisis in Syria, among other issues.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Lavrov emphasized need that the international anti-ISIS coalition coordinates with the Syrian armed forces “who bear the bulk of the burden of battle against terrorists on their land.”

The threats posed by ISIS, which has taken over large swaths of territory in Syria and Iraq, left behind a bloody tail in Libya and swept into Afghanistan, figured prominently during the talks, according to the statement.

On a different note, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Lavrov held talks with the UN Special Envoy for Syria Sataffan de Mistura, with the latter praising Moscow’s efforts in enhancing dialogue between the Syrian government and opposition.

The two sides had matching views as regards the importance that inter-Syrian communications be solid and sustainable, pledging coordinated steps to “reach a peaceful and durable solution to the crisis in Syria.”

The Russian side expressed support for de Mistura’s initiative which seeks an end to bloodshed and ramping up aid for Syrians, added the statement.

A plan to freeze fighting in Aleppo was at the center of talks last Saturday between Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallen and the US special Syria envoy, agreeing that the latter would dispatch a mission to the city to have a close look at the situation there.

At a news conference in Geneva, Kerry said that he spoke with his Russian counterpart about “possible steps to find common ground on Syria,” saying the two sides were in agreement regarding the uselessness of a military solution in the country.

“We agreed that parties which have influence over the course of the Syrian crisis should set to figure out again whether to recourse to Geneva 1 or any other hybrid formula that can be created,” he said.

Manal Ismael

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