Russia: Solve the Crisis in Syria without Foreign Interference

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, reiterated on Monday his country's stance which calls for dialogue between the Syrians themselves to solve the crisis in Syria and which rejects any foreign interference in the Syrian internal affairs.

Russia Today website reported Lavrov as saying during a meeting with his Finnish counterpart Erkki Tuomioja in Helsinki that if all Geneva meeting partners asked the Syrian parties the same thing which is ending violence and starting negotiations to form an interim governing body, opportunities of peaceful settlement  and saving the lives of people will be provided.

Lavrov added that Russia's stance is well-known. Russia supports the end of violence and a swift peaceful settlement by the Syrians themselves without any foreign interference and through internal dialogue between the government and the opposition with no preconditions.

He expressed concerns over the inability of the Security Council to reach an agreement on dealing with the crisis in Syria.

Lavrov considered establishing buffer zones in Syria as 'another unilateral step' that would not lead to solving the crisis in Syria.

Russian Foreign Ministry Reiterates Call for Halting Smuggling of Weapons into Syria

Russian Foreign Ministry reiterated on Monday call for halting smuggling of weapons into Syria, warning that the continuation of smuggling weapons will lead to aggravating the situation in Syria.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement published by Russia Today Channel Website that Moscow has repeatedly stressed that it is not acceptable to smuggle weapons into Syria, warning that arming the opposition is very dangerous.

The Ministry added that recently a number of Russian and western media outlets broadcast reports on the provision of  weapons to the Syrian opposition through Libya, Turkey and Lebanon, pointing out that some Gulf states are funding the smuggling operations.

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