Local Editor

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed Friday that arming sides [as in Syria] instead of countries contradicts international legitimacy.

He further urged the need to implement what was agreed upon in the Geneva statement rather than pour oil on fire.
In a joint press conference with Slovenia's Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec held in the city of Ljubljana, Lavrov said that "talk of arming the opposition indicates betting on a military solution and not a political solution."

In parallel, he noted that those who choose the military solution must realize that they're pushing for geopolitical interests at the cost of more victims in Syria.

The head of Moscow's diplomacy pointed out that his country is expecting to continue discussing the Syrian issue with the US during the upcoming visit of US State Secretary John Kerry to Russia.
"In recent communiqués with Moscow, Washington voiced support for a political solution," he added.

Lavrov said that Moscow is against the exploitation of the displaced Syrians issue to create "humanitarian passages" and no-fly zones in Syria, saying that Russia, China and other countries view some sides' attempt to exploit this issue as efforts to prepare for foreign intervention.

Moreover, he affirmed that Russia is open to dialogue with all opposition forces in Syria, stressing the need to seek methods to end violence in the framework of direct negotiations between the opposition and the Syrian government.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org