Geneva communique should not be interpreted as aimed at overthrowing Syrian regime - Lavrov
MOSCOW. Feb 13 (Interfax) - The Geneva communique on Syria should not be reduced solely to the requirement that a transitional government must be formed, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"Our position is absolutely clear: we are committed to the Geneva communique, we are defending its full implementation, and we disagree with the attempts to pick certain provisions out of it," Lavrov said at a press conference following 2+2 negotiations between the Russian and Egyptian foreign and defense ministers in Moscow on Thursday.
Some interpret the establishment of a transitional government as a more important goal than the need to combat terrorism and resolve humanitarian problems, he said.
"What is necessary is an honest conversation taking into account all factors rather than attempts to take advantage of the Syrian crisis," Lavrov said in reply to a question from Interfax.
It is wrong to interpret the Geneva communique's sole goal as the overthrowing of the Syrian regime, he said.
