Lavrov: “opposition’s” and “extremists’ ” actions against the government hampered the efforts aimed at reaching reconciliation

PARIS- Syria has no clear front between the government and the “opposition” while terrorist groups continue to increase, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi on Monday, according to ITAR TASS.

 “There are many groups in Syria and there is no clear front between the government armed forces and the “opposition. The “opposition” is divided. There are many terrorists and they continue to grow. These are the” Islamic Front, the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant and Jabhat al-Nusra,” the Russian minister said.

Lavrov said he had studied a programme of the “Islamic Front” that openly urged foreign “Jihadists” to arrive in Syria. “Ideologically we don’t see big differences between the organizations of the” Islamic Front, the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant and Jabhat al-Nusra,” he added.

At the same time, the minister said the actions by the “opposition” and extremists against the government hampered the efforts aimed at reaching reconciliation. “We don’t want reconciliation be declared by terrorist groups. This doesn’t meet our interests,” Lavrov said.

International stakeholders

Iran and Saudi Arabia should take part in the Geneva II Peace Conference, Lavrov said after the meeting.

 “The need of Iran’s and Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Geneva II Conference is obvious. We hope that finally the U.N. Secretary General will send invitations to those on whom the development of the situation depends on,” the Russian minister said.

Lavrov said pragmatism dictated the need to invite Iran at the Geneva conference. “I’m sure that the crisis in Syria is an important issue as Iran’s nuclear problem. Those who influence the situation (Iran and South Arabia has real influence upon it) should be invited,” the Russian minister said.

In addition, he said among invitees there were those who did not want the Syrian settlement to be a success.

“Militant”actions and humanitarian aid

 “The priority task is to deliver humanitarian assistance to Syria,” Lavrov said.

“Militants” killed 32 employees, who had supplied humanitarian assistance to peaceful civilians, the Russian minister said, adding that Russia does not want terrorists to use reconciliation in Syria.

M.D