Lavrov, Kerry discuss situation in east Aleppo
MOSCOW. Dec 14 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and United States Secretary of State John Kerry have discussed by telephone the conflict in Syria with an emphasis on normalizing the situation in eastern Aleppo, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"Lavrov pointed out that the Syrian authorities have long been ready to grant free exit to the militants rounded up there but those pressured by leaders of the terror group Jabhat al-Nusra have so far refused to cease fire. The minister urged the U.S. to use its influence on the armed opposition forces backed by Washington," the statement said.
The parties discussed the humanitarian aspects of the situation in Aleppo, the ministry said. "The Russian side explained the efforts being made by the Syrian authorities with Russian support in order to relieve the plight of the civilian population," the ministry said.
"When considering the prospects of political settlement, Kerry reassured [Lavrov] that the U.S. is working with those opposition groups who are sabotaging the UN Security Council's demand for an urgent start of intra-Syrian talks without preconditions," the statement said.
The two diplomats also touched on the situation in Yemen and Libya and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
The conversation took place at the U.S. request, the Russian ministry said.