Lavrov: conflict only resolved through negotiations “without any preconditions

ISTANBUL, (ST)- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday criticized the Friends of Syria grouping of Western and Arab countries opposed to the Syrian government as negative for dialogue.

Russian TV RT quoted Minister Lavrov as saying “Right now we see this process is making a negative contribution to the [Geneva] decisions,” Lavrov said in Istanbul, referring to a 2012 accord among world powers in Geneva aimed at solving the Syrian conflict.

“When one party is isolated in any mechanism set up to deal with a conflict, we miss the ground for dialogue.” He also said that Moscow was not involved in “regime change” or “legitimization of such attempts.”

Lavrov underscored that the ongoing conflict can only be resolved through negotiations and “without any preconditions,”

“If the number one priority is regime change, then, given that this is objectively impossible, the cost of such a geopolitical approach will evidently be more and more Syrian lives,” Lavrov said.

“Now it is up to those who are insisting on preconditions for dialogue to choose,” he said.

Minister Lavrov, according to Xinhua News Agency, added that  his country rejects military intervention in Syria, adding that Russia hopes to avoid any measure of military intervention in Syria in the forthcoming meeting of Friends of Syria in Istanbul.

“We do not struggle to change the regime. We don’t support such activities but further dialogue between the regime and the opposition.”

Lavrov warned that the Syrian tragedy will continue, the massacre will continue and the al-Qaida will emerge if the military intervention takes place.

Lavrov warned against any military intervention in Syria, saying that it would only make the situation worse and encourage the spread of radical Islamic groups including Al-Qaeda.

“In our future deliberations we will try to avoid any measures that focus on military intervention and the isolation of the parties concerned,” he said.

“We will focus on establishing a dialogue platform with the participation of all parties involved.”

As for the upcoming Friends of Syria meeting which will be hosted by Istanbul on April 20, Lavrov said that his country is not a member of Friends of Syria group and expressed his doubts over activities of the group.

Lavrov slammed the Friends of Syria group which gathers Western and Arab countries saying “right now we see this process is making a negative contribution to the Geneva decisions,” while referring to a 2012 accord among world powers in Geneva aiming at resolving the Syrian conflict through talks involving all parties in Syria.

“When one party is isolated in any mechanism set up to deal with a conflict, we miss the ground for dialogue,” he stressed.

If you look at the practical perspectives of this group, do you think it could contribute to the Geneva Agreements?” Lavrov wondered.

“The Friends of Syria group is supporting the Syrian oppositions. Some of the Syrian oppositions are labeled as representatives of the Syrian people but this is contradictory with the international law,” Lavrov added.

Lavrov said if any military intervention happens in Syria in the future, the chance for dialogue would be lost, reiterating al- Qaida emergence and intensified terrorism activities inside Syria.

“We see Al-Qaeda-related groups struggling against the current regime (in Syria), and that’s a very worrying aspect,” he said.

“And they are listed as terrorist groups by the United States.”

ST