27 Aug 2016 15:41

Lavrov insists on calling direct intra-Syrian dialogue in near future

GENEVA. Aug 27 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expects that a round of direct intra-Syrian negotiations will be announced in the near future.

"We believe this objective is long overdue, and it is necessary in the very near future to announce the convention of a direct round of negotiations between the [Syrian] government and the entire opposition spectrum," Lavrov said at a press conference following negotiations with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and UN Special Envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura in Geneva.

Lavrov made it understood that de Mistura has proposed this very idea now.

"We fully support Staffan de Mistura's determination on the matter," he said.