Russia wants more groups to join Syria truce, Lavrov says

ASTANA, April 21. /TASS/. Russia is taking steps for expanding the list of Syrian opposition groups that have joined truce, while terrorists try to make those who have agreed to lay down arms to change sides again, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday. "We are working for the expansion of the range of truce participants. We wish it to incorporate more armed opposition groups," he said. "What complicates the process is a reverse movement is in progress. Those who support the terrorist organization Jabhat al-Nusra (outlawed in Russia - TASS) have been trying to attract more armed groups, thereby tearing them away from the Astana process." Lavrov noted that the situation "on the ground" in Syria is very complicated. "There are many actors with arms in their hands there. First, this is certainly the Syrian army and contingents of Russia’s Aerospace Forces supporting it, Iranian contingents and Hezbollah that help the government to combat terrorism upon its request." Russia’s top diplomat called on other countries that have armed forces in Syria to focus on war on terror. "There is a special ops unit of some Western countries there and Turkey’s armed forces in Syria, and certainly the US-led coalition," Lavrov said. "If these forces are used to combat terrorism, the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra (terrorist groups, outlawed in Russia), I think the result could be achieved rather quickly and be positive," he said. Read more