Russian foreign minister proposes including OIC, Arab League in Vienna format on Syria

YEREVAN, November 9. /TASS/. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League should join the Vienna format talks on the Syria settlement to put an end to speculations about confrontation between the Shia and the Sunni, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday. "Another meeting in the extended format is to be held soon," he said. "We think it necessary to supplement the list of participants in the Vienna talks of October 30 with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League." "The Organization of Islamic Cooperation unites all Islamic countries," the minister noted. "Its participation in this process is essential since many seek to picture the developments in and around Syria as a conflict between the Sunni and the Shia." Lavrov said attempts to do that were a "flagrant provocation with obviously wrong goals." "Regrettably, many leaders of responsible countries, including in the West, are falling for this provocation and even are playing to it," he added. Read more