Russia says ready to help Syria start reconciliation dialogueNovember 12, 2011 - 09:49 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia is willing to help the opposing sides in the Syrian political crisis start a reconciliation dialogue, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday, November 12. “We feel the responsibility to make everything possible to initiate an internal dialogue in Syria,” Lavrov said after a meeting of APEC Foreign Ministers in Honolulu. Lavrov expressed regret over the fact that certain representatives of the Syrian opposition, especially those residing in the United States and in Turkey, are boycotting any proposals aimed at the talks with the Syrian authorities. “We will attempt to convince [the opposition] to take a more constructive approach and to care about their country,” the minister said. A delegation of the opposition Syrian National Council is expected to visit Moscow next week to meet with Lavrov and Russian lawmakers, RIA Novosti reported. Opposition leaders maintain that Syrian authorities continue to use force against "peaceful demonstrations" and many people were killed or injured as a result. Meanwhile, the authorities say that the troops and police are clashing with militants, who are financed from abroad and attack administrative bodies and ordinary citizens. According to UN estimates, more than 3,500 people have been killed in Syria since mid-March, when first protests against President Bashar al-Assad's regime began. Russia and China vetoed in October a UN Security Council draft resolution that urged the Syrian regime to immediately stop using violence against protesters or face "targeted measures." However, Moscow and Beijing have called on the Syrian government to quickly carry out its commitment of political reform and to resume and promote an inclusive political process that involves the wide participation of all parties in the country. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Pashinyan’s spokesperson denies intention to visit Baku for COP29 Pashinyan’s agenda doesn’t include a trip to Baku for the COP29 conference, his press secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan has said. Lithuania sending €100,000 to help Armenia fight floods consequences Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. Armenia: Rescue workers restore pedestrian bridge for flood-hit community Rescue workers on Wednesday, June 5 restored a pedestrian bridge in the town of Alaverdi in Armenia’s north. Turkey condemns Uruguay’s recognition of Armenian Genocide Turkey has condemned a newly passed law in Uruguay that recognizes the Armenian Genocide, TRT reports. |