Lavrov, Brahimi discuss situation in Syria

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed with Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN Envoy to Syria, the latest developments in the country in light of the approach taken by some sides, particularly the opposition abroad, the Arab League to reject the dialogue in contrary to Geneva Statement. Russia Today Website quoted the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying that Lavrov and Brahimi discussed during a telephone call the Syrian file in light of the approach inside the Syrian opposition abroad along with the Arab League to reject the dialogue with the Syrian government in spite of the mentioned agreements in Geneva Statement. The statement provides for forming a transitional administrative body based on concordance between the government and the opposition. Russian Foreign Ministry stressed that Russia and Syria call for conducting an immediate and independent investigation on armed terrorist groups' use of chemical weapons in Syria. In a statement issued after a meeting between Special Envoy to the Middle East, Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, and Syria's Ambassador in Russia, Riad Haddad, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow and Damascus insist on the necessity of conducting an immediate and independent investigation on using weapons of mass destruction in Syria. The statement added that the two sides discussed the situation in Syria, particularly information on the armed opposition's use of chemical weapons.