Lavrov: Syrian Army Most Important Force in Anti-ISIS Fight

MOSCOW, (ST)- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stressed that the Syrian army is the most important force in the fight against ISIS terrorist organization.

In a joint press conference with his Eritrean counterpart Osman Saleh Mohammed on Monday, Lavrov said “we seek establishing a unified front to fight ISIS terrorist organization in Syria where the Syrian army will be the most important force in this front on ground,” the Syrian official news agency reported.

He added that Russia is prepared for negotiations with the United States on combating terrorism that would involve the Defense Ministry, the Foreign Ministry and other agencies any time.

Russia and the United States have unlimited possibilities for cooperation in the war on terror upon the availability of willpower.

 Cooperation between Russia and the United States in the Struggle against ISIS is a top priority for both countries and this was clearly confirmed during a phone talk between the two presidents on January 28, according to Lavrov.

“In this sphere I see actually unlimited possibilities upon the availability of the political will and the preparedness of our militaries to translate this will into specific accords and specific actions,” the foreign minister said.

Syrian talks

Lavrov went on to say that the talks on Syria, launched under the auspices of the United Nations were in a deadlock and Russia believes it is important to encourage the process.

“Taking into consideration the deep deadlock, where the negotiating process launched under the UN auspices finds itself now, we have no doubt that there is the need to bring some practical element to all these efforts to encourage the thinking and particular talks,” he said, according to Itar Tass.

The “opposition” in Syria that keeps putting forward preconditions for negotiations should be patiently invited to join in the negotiating process, but not persuaded to do so, Sergey Lavrov has stressed.

“Those who put forward preconditions that UN Security Council resolutions do not provided for should be patiently invited to join in, but by no means persuaded,” Lavrov said. “As soon as the next round (of intra-Syrian talks) is announced, all known “opposition” figures must be invited. Those who wish to attend will attend.”

Hamda Mustafa