UN not very active so far in organizing intra-Syrian political dialogue - Lavrov

MOSCOW, September 1. /TASS/. The United Nations Organization is not very active so far in the organization of the intra-Syrian political dialogue, although this should be done as soon as possible, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told students at MGIMO University on Thursday. "We are pressing for the earliest beginning of a full-fledged political dialogue (in Syria). The UN has the corresponding mandate, but it is not very active in this sphere so far," he said. According to the minister, Russia is exerting efforts for the settlement of the Syrian crisis, combating terrorism and alleviating the population’s suffering based on international law. "International terrorism is our common enemy," the minister said. "We are convinced that combating international terrorism is possible only on the international law basis, without double standards and with respect for UN central role." "We were guided by these principles, when in response to the Syrian government's request we sent a contingent of the Russian Aerospace Forces to Syria to fight the Islamic State, Jabhat al-Nusra (banned in Russia terrorist organizations), no matter how they are called now, and cooperating with them terrorist groups," Lavrov continued added. "We are simultaneously fulfilling very important tasks to facilitate the humanitarian situation of the Syrian population, especially in the areas that are blocked by the militants," he said. Read more