Lavrov, Kerry Discuss Syria ahead of UN-Backed Talks
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held phone talks with US State Secretary John Kerry ahead of UN-backed intra-Syria talks scheduled for next week, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Saturday.
Lavrov and Kerry paid special attention to the need to form a "truly representative opposition delegation" and respecting the right of the Syrian people to determine the fate of their country, the ministry added.
The two top diplomats agreed that the intra-Syrian political process needs to continue within the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) format chaired by Russia, the United States and the United Nations.
"The heads of foreign offices continued their discussion of the Syrian subject, confirming their support for the efforts of UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura to organize negotiations between Syrian Government representatives and opposition groups in Geneva next week to achieve a political settlement," the ministry said, Sputnik News reported.
Since the beginning of the foreign-backed crisis in Syria in March 2011, an assortment of militant groups, including the Daesh (ISIL) Takfiri terrorists and the US-backed 'Free Syrian Army', have been formed in the country with the ultimate goal of overthrowing the Syrian government. However, the militant groups have frequently turned on each other and engaged in infighting in a power struggle and over resources.
More than 250,000 people have been killed so far in Syria due to the violence perpetrated by the terrorists.
