Lavrov points to necessity to form Syrian opposition list - Russian Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW, December 9. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday discussed with US Secretary of State John Kerry prospects of a regular "Vienna format" meeting on Syria, the Russian Foreign Ministry said after the top diplomats’ phone conversation. "Attention was focused on Syrian problems, including the possibility to convene a new meeting of the International Syria Support Group," the ministry said, adding that the conversation took place on the American side’s request. "Lavrov pointed to the necessity to preliminarily implement its decisions of November 14 on forming a delegation of patriotic opposition to take part in talks with the country’s authorities under UN auspices and compiling a list of terrorist groups, with which there’s nothing to talk about but which should be jointly fought," it said. "That would open the path toward the launch of the process of political settlement of the conflict in Syria with simultaneous consolidation of efforts in counteraction to radical forces," the ministry said. Russia’s Aerospace Forces started delivering pinpoint strikes in Syria at facilities of the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations, which are banned in Russia, on September 30, 2015, on a request from Syrian President Bashar Assad. The air group initially comprised over 50 aircraft and helicopters, including Sukhoi Su-24M, Su-25SM and state-of-the-art Su-34 aircraft. They were redeployed to the Khmeimim airbase in the province of Latakia. On October 7, four missile ships of the Russian Navy’s Caspian Flotilla fired 26 Kalibr cruise missiles (NATO codename Sizzler) at militants’ facilities in Syria. On October 8, the Syrian army passed to a large-scale offensive. In mid-November, Russia increased the number of aircraft taking part in the operation in Syria to 69 and involved strategic bombers in strikes at militants. Targets of the Russian aircraft include terrorists’ gasoline tankers and oil refineries. According to UN statistics, fighting between Syrian government troops and militants has killed more than 200,000 people and displaced millions since its start in 2011. Read more