Moscow: Participants In Lausanne Talks Agreed Syrians Must Decide Own Future

MOSCOW- Russia said all participants in talks in Lausanne had agreed Syrians should decide their own future through inclusive dialogue and that the country should remain whole and secular, after the meeting ended without a breakthrough, according to Reuters .

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that in order for a U.S.-Russian “ceasefire” agreement to succeed and to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries, the so-called Syria’s “moderate opposition” must separate from Jabhat al-Nusra (currently known as  Jabhat Fath al-Sham) and other terrorist groups affiliated with it.

“At the same time, it should be understood that operations against terrorists of ISIS and the Jabhat al- Nusra will be continued,” the ministry said.

 According to the ministry, Lausanne talks focused on reviving the cessation of hostilities in Aleppo and in Syria in general and discussed the issue of launching a political process in Syria as soon as possible in accordance with relevant UN security Council resolutions, the International Syria Support Group decisions and the Geneva document.  

Saturday’s talks failed to agree on a common strategy to end the crisis in Syria.

Kerry, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and seven foreign ministers from Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt met yesterday weeks after the collapse of a U.S.-Russian “ceasefire” plan.

H.M