Assad supports Astana talks - MP Sablin

DAMASCUS, February 8. /TASS/. Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, supports the recent talks of the joint group to monitor compliance with the ceasefire in Syria, Dmitry Sablin, coordinator of a group of members of Russia’s State Duma (lower house of parliament) overseeing ties with Syria and member of the State Duma Defense Committee, told reporters following meeting with the Syrian leader. "President Bashar al-Assad supports our efforts in Astana," the lawmaker said. According to another member of the Russian delegation, Alexander Yushchenko, Bashar al-Assad described the talks held in Astana as a smart and far-sighted step. The Syrian president said the fact that dialogue was maintained with representatives fighting with weapons in their hands for the first time was important, the parliamentarian added. Yushchenko told reporters that he considers the Astana talks "a viable resource to restore peace in Syria." On February 6, Astana hosted the first meeting of the joint group to monitor compliance with the ceasefire in Syria that involved experts from Russia, Turkey, Iran, the UN and Jordan. The group was formed after the conference on the Syrian settlement held in Kazakhstan’s capital on January 23-24. The next meeting of the group is scheduled for February 15-16. Read more