Al-Moallem, Lavrov Discuss Syria, Annan Urges Int’l Community to Play Its Role
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem and Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov reviewed the bilateral relations and the current situation in Syria.
The talks were held in St. Petersburg on Friday within the framework of the continuous coordination between the Syrian and Russian leaderships.
The two sides' viewpoints were in agreement regarding the need to support the plan of Special Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan and the continued cooperation between the Syrian government and the UN observers mission.
According to SANA, both sides stressed the necessity of exerting efforts to stop all forms of violence by all parts.
Lavrov stressed the firmness of Russia's stance which calls for a political solution to the Syrian crisis by the Syrian people without any external interference.
"The Syrian people are the only decision-makers to choose their future," Lavrov reiterated.
He also informed al-Moallem on the ongoing preparations for the scheduled meeting in Geneva to discuss the means to support the implementation of Annan's plan.
In this regard, the two sides agreed on the need for talks during the Geneva meeting to focus on commitment of all parties to Annan plan.
They also urged all sides to stop the funding and arming of the armed groups and not harboring them as a starting point for the national dialogue led by Syria to get out of the current crisis.
In turn, al-Moallem expressed satisfaction with the Russian position as he praised the cooperation and coordination between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Annan urged "the international community and the influential countries have to play their role to end violence in Syria."
During a press conference with Head of the observer mission in Syria, Robert Mood, the envoy said: "We want to resume the mission of the international observers in Syria, but this is not possible now as things stand."
He added that the contact group due to meet in Geneva will discuss procedures to implement the six-point plan.
Annan said that "Iran must take part in the meeting on Syria and be part of the solution."
He also called upon all parties in Syria to lay down arms for the sake of Syria and the Syrian people.
"There is no alternative to the six-point plan," he affirmed and pointed out that "all parties have to work to implement the plan as to serve the interests of the Syrian people."
For his part, Gen. Mood, said that "the observers maintain their positions in Syria and will resume their work when violence drops."
"I'm concerned that gunmen are occupying hospitals, schools and institutions, thus stopping their services to citizens," Mood added.
Source: SANA, Edited by moqawama.org
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