1 Sep 2012 11:16

Lavrov: Demanding Assad regime's capitulation is unrealistic

MOSCOW. Sept 1 (Interfax) - Demanding that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad resign as a precondition for settling the ongoing crisis in that country is unrealistic, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"No matter what your attitude toward the Syrian regime is, saying that, while battles are under way in cities, the only solution is unilateral capitulation of one of the fighting forces is absolutely unrealistic. It is not about ideology. We are not backing any regime or any individuals in the Syrian situation. We just proceed from what is realistic," Lavrov said in a lecture for students of Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) on Saturday.