Russia Receives Ibrahimi, Moqdad, Amr over Syria

Local Editor

Following talks with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus , the international envoy to Syria al-Akhdar Ibrahimi will hold talks in Moscow on Saturday.

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told ITAR-TASS that "Ibrahimi requested the meeting as he pursues what so far have been fruitless efforts to negotiate an end to 21 months of violence."
This comes as Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow was pushing Ibrahimi to ensure that the warring sides stick to a June peace plan that calls for a transition of power without making calling al-Assad to step down.

Russia has continuously accused Western and Arab nations of giving up on peace negotiations and has made repeated attempts at negotiating a truce that would let the Syrians themselves decide the fate of their country.
Meanwhile, a Beirut airport source said that Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Moqdad also flew to Moscow on Tuesday for consultations that have not yet been officially confirmed by Russia.

ITAR-TASS separately reported, quoting a source, that a "Syrian government delegation" -- whose members it did not name -- will meet with Lavrov in Moscow on Thursday.
UN and Arab League envoy Ibrahimi arrived in Damascus on Sunday and also met with leaders of opposition that also makes periodic visits to Moscow.
However, a UN Security Council diplomat said the veteran Algerian diplomat had received no support from any of the warring sides.

Amid a flurry of diplomacy before Russia heads into its lengthy new year holidays, the Russian foreign ministry said Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Amr would be in Moscow on Thursday and Friday for talks with Lavrov.
It said topics would include the situation in the Middle East, including the search for a diplomatic solution to the Syria conflict.


Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org