Russia to support Syria in creating coalition for struggle against IS - Putin

MOSCOW, June 29. /TASS/. Syria and other countries of the region should present a common front in the struggle against the terrorist group Islamic State, Russian President Vladimir Putin said after talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem. He believes that Turkey, Jordan and Saudi Arabia are prepared to make their contribution to this, while Russia will be prepared to contribute to establishing the dialogue among these countries, he added. "At the same time we believe that for the struggle with terrorism and extreme manifestations of radicalism to be effective all countries in the region should pool their efforts. All of our contacts with the region - and we have very good relations with all countries without an exception - indicate that everybody is eager to make one’s contribution to resistance to the ill called the Islamic State. This concerns Turkey, it concerns Jordan and it concerns Saudi Arabia. In that connection we are urging all of our friends, including those in Syria, to do their utmost to establish a constructive dialogue with all countries interested in the struggle against terrorism," Putin said. He added that constructive relations were developing with all those who support Syria these days. "It is clear that in relations with neighbors some misunderstandings occur often or once in a while, there happen frictions and current problems, but for the sake of struggle against this common ill efforts are to be pooled," Putin said. He remarked that creating such a coalition was a no easy task, bearing in mind the problems that there existed among the countries concerned. "But if the Syrian leadership finds it expedient and possible, we will do our utmost to support you. We will use our good relations with all countries in the region for the sake of at least trying to create such a coalition," Putin said. Read more