Updated-Lavrov: There are those in the US administration who tried since the beginning to undermine Russian-US agreement on Syria

Moscow/Brussels, SANA – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that there are those in the US administration who tried since the beginning to undermine the Russian-US agreement on Syria, adding that Russia will continue pursuing a political solution in Syria.

During his meeting with Saad al-Hariri on Tuesday, Lavrov said that several US officials tried to derail agreements regarding Syria, and these same officials prepared openly a scenario that employs force.

He asserted that Washington failed to honor its commitment to separate the “moderate opposition” from Jabhat al-Nusra.

In turn, Chairman of the Russian Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko said the US withdrawal from talks with Russia regarding Syria is due to Washington’s lack of desire or ability to carry out the agreements signed by the two states.

Matviyenko said the Americans lost control of the armed groups in Syria, or maybe there are disagreements between the State Department, the CIA, and the Pentagon, adding that she doesn’t rule out the possibility that some US sides want to divide Syria.

She warned against developments moving towards an intense scenario in Syria if the Russian-US talks cease, affirming that it’s unacceptable to escalate the crisis by using force to topple the Syrian authorities.

Peskov: Kremlin doesn’t welcome the idea of restricting veto’s right at UNSC on Syria

In a relevant context, Kremlin press spokesman Dmitry Peskov affirmed that the Kremlin does not welcome the idea of restricting the right of veto in at the UN Security Council on Syria.

Responding to a question about Moscow’s stance about that issue, Peskov said that the Russian stance towards this issue is “negative.”

On the US last decision to stop contacts with Russia on the crisis in Syria, the Russian official said that Moscow has received with regret the news of the US suspending dialogue regarding the settlement in Syria, but the Russian side doesn’t want to exaggerate the subject with respect to the bilateral relations, adding that the contacts between the Russian and American military men, to avoid accidents in the Syrian airspace, will remain constant.

Meanwhile, US State Secretary John Kerry claimed that the US will continue diplomatic efforts to establish peace in Syria and resume talks, and that it will work with Moscow to revive the cessation of combat activities agreement.

In a speech delivered in Brussels, Kerry alleged that the US is committed to a peaceful position via the UN for resolving the crisis in Syria, and that his country is committed to keeping Syria unified.

He also suggested that the cessation of combat activities should include preventing the Syrian and Russian air forces from operating in certain areas, showing America’s intent to protect Jabhat al-Nusra and cover up for their crimes.

Hazem Sabbagh

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