29 Jun 2012 17:17

Moscow calls for cease-fire, withdrawal of govt, opposition forces from Syrian cities

MOSCOW. June 29 (Interfax) - Russia is calling for cease-fire mechanisms to be agreed upon in Syria and for the armed forces of the government and the opposition to pull out from cities, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"Russia considers it necessary to agree upon the mechanisms of achieving cease-fire and synchronized withdrawal of pro-government forces armed opposition groups from cities and other populated areas under the oversight by the United Nations Monitoring Mission in Syria so that municipal authorities could deal with acute social problems of the population," the ministry said on its website on Friday ahead of a Geneva conference on Syria.