Russia presses Syria to pursue opposition talks

Moscow – Russia is urging the Syrian government to follow through on its pledge to hold talks with the opposition, as diplomatic efforts intensify to bring an end to 21 months of conflict in Syria.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday he urged Syria’s deputy foreign minister earlier this week to “make as concrete as possible” the government’s declared readiness for dialogue.

Russia has so far strongly criticised moves by Western and anti-Assad Arab states to recognise the National Coalition as a legitimate representatives of the Syrian people since the group was formed last month.

Earlier Friday, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told the RIA Novosti news agency Moscow has sent an invitation for talks to the Syrian National Council, the main exiled opposition group recognized by many as the legitimate government of Syria.

Bogdanov also said Moscow expects to meet next month with senior U.S. officials and international peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi about his proposals to end Syria’s civil war.

He said the meeting between himself, Brahimi, and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns will take place in January “after the holidays.” Brahimi is also due to visit Russia Saturday.

Brahimi, the United Nations and Arab League envoy, has proposed the formation of a transitional government to rule until elections. He said Thursday any plan must represent what he called “real change,” but did not specify whether that change would include the opposition’s demand of the removal of President Assad.

Russia has so far rejected the removal of Assad as a precondition to talks between the Syrian government and opposition groups.

Rebels and exiled Syrian opposition groups have refused to negotiate with Assad, demanding instead that he step down and face justice. More than 40,000 people have been killed since the Syrian president began a violent crackdown on what began as a peaceful opposition uprising in March 2011.

Source: THE TIMES OF EARTH