Lavrov Starts Regional Tour on Syria: No Military Solutions

Local Editor

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Sunday that there is no military solution to the crisis in Syria.
Lavrov's remarks came after he met in Cairo with Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi for talks about the Syrian conflict.
The two officials agreed on the need to move forward but finding little common ground.
"We are dealing with the Syrian government and opposition on the basis of Geneva statement," Lavrov confirmed.
In parallel, he blamed some countries, that participated in the Geneva conference, of making contacts with the Syrian opposition only and encouraging it to continue fighting.
The Russian official further hoped that these countries will commit themselves to Geneva statement as to join efforts to support the UN envoy to Syria, al-Akhbar Ibrahimi, in his mission.

Moreover, Lavrov urged all sides involved in the crisis in Syria to cease fire and sit at the dialogue table in accordance with Geneva statement.
"We shouldn't forget the other issues in the region, such as the Palestinian issue and the issue of establishing a region free of nuclear weapons in the Middle East," he said.

For his part, al-Arabi said: "We discussed the situation in Syria... reviewing what has been done so far and if there is any way to move forward. And let us be clear, there wasn't any agreement on anything."
"Both parties discussed the importance of moving forward. There are various ideas but nothing definite," he added.

According to the Russian foreign ministry, Lavrov was travelling to Egypt for talks about Syria with Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi and Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr, although it was unclear when they would meet.
Lavrov is then scheduled to head for Jordan on Monday for talks with King Abdullah II and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh.
"The Russian foreign minister is visiting Jordan tomorrow and the day after, to discuss the Syrian crisis," Judeh told reporters after meeting his Kuwaiti counterpart in the Gulf emirate.

"Talks and dialogue with Russia must continue. It is part of the international effort to stop violence and killing in Syria," said Judeh.


Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org