No Bet on Solving Crisis in Syria By Force-Lavrov

MOSCOW,(ST)_ Russia ‘s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that using force will not solve the crisis in Syria, as the need to “resolve it” through dialogue increases.
Russia Today online quoted Lavrov as saying in the opening of Russian-Arab Forum on Tuesday in Moscow: “Regarding the conflict in Syria, we can conclude that the bet to make a settlement by the use of force from any side will not lead to the desired result”.
Lavrov added that his country does not only support dialogue between the government and the opposition , but even help to “create favorable conditions on the ground of agreements ratified in Geneva, proposed by the UN envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi .”
Concerning what is taking place in the Middle East Lavrov said that Moscow is dissatisfied with the course of events in this region, noting “we are concerned about the emergence of hotbeds of armed conflicts in the region , the high proportion of extremism and terrorism and uncontrolled proliferation of weapons.”
“We believe that the” Arab League “is required to play the main role in settling disputes arising in the Arab world, including efforts to resolve internal conflicts and create conditions for direct comprehensive national dialogue involving all political forces , ensuring the rights of all communities, minorities , without external interference .” Lavrov continued.

On the Arab-Israeli conflict Lavrov noted the need to unite the efforts of both the “Quartet” and Arab League.
However, works of the first Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum was launched in Moscow today (Wednesday). Conditions in Syria , the Palestinian issue and latest developments in Libya , Sudan, Yemen and Somalia will be on top of the Forum ‘s agenda.
In an inaugural speech, Lavrove said :” We hope that the Forum helps to expand various relations between Russia and the Arab League,” pointing out that the Memorandum of Understanding on the forum was signed in December , 2009.”
For his part, Spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Ukashevich said that “Moscow pins great importance on launching the cooperation process with the Arab League , in light of the significant progress in the Russian-Arab cooperation in all areas .”
The Forum t is expected adopt a joint statement and a plan of action for the next three years.

T. Fateh