Lavrov: Syrian interim governing body must not be formed by external players
AMMAN. Nov 6 (Interfax) - Only Syrians, not external players, have the right to form the interim governing body, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
"Concerning the composition of the interim governing body discussed in Geneva, neither we, nor the Americans, or even Arabs, but only Syrians can form this body," he said at a press conference after talks with his Jordanian counterpart Nasser Judeh.
Reports said earlier that the U.S. has been promoting the idea of forming a new Syrian opposition organization to replace the Syrian National Council, which Washington said is inefficient.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton later explained that Washington had selected nominees for membership.
The formation of a national initiative council is expected to be announced on November 7, the day following the U.S. presidential election.
The U.S. administration sees the new council as a potential interim government capable of holding talks with the international community and the Syrian regime, earlier reports said.