Military solution to crisis in Syria cannot be given preference - Lavrov
ISTANBUL. April 17 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov believes it is unacceptable to give preference to a military solution to the conflict in Syria, although, according to him, both parties to the conflict have supporters of such a solution.
"We want Damascus to fulfill its promise, namely, be guided by the requirements of the Geneva communique to begin a dialogue," Lavrov told reporters after meeting with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu.
However, he warned that "if preference is given to a military solution, the horrors that my colleague and friend [Davutoglu] has now mentioned will just multiply, as will the influence of terrorists," he said.
Lavrov said he would not be surprised if the information on the existence of an al-Qaeda division in Turkey is confirmed. "Organizations directly affiliated with al-Qaeda are fighting on the side of the opposition against the government," Lavrov said.
"We just need to be aware that the longer we isolate the regime and give preference to a military solution, the longer these threats will be felt," he said.
