Russian FM Says No Stop To Airstrikes

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during a news conference in Moscow, Russia, January 26, 2016. “There is no clear answers”, Bashar Jaafari, the chief Syrian government representative, told reporters in Geneva.

“This is our stance and this is the stance of so many parties in the support group and they consider these groups terrorist groups”, he said.

Prospects for a cease-fire seemed especially uncertain after the Syrian government, with Russia’s assistance, launched a massive offensive against rebel forces this week.

“Their participation on an individual basis in the delegation formed at Riyadh meeting does not mean – and it is acknowledged by everyone including our American colleagues as co-chairs of the Vienna process – does not mean any acknowledgment of Jaish al-Islam and Ahrar al-Sham as partners in the negotiations”, Lavrov said.

The battle over which rebels were proper rebels and which were terrorists was a big factor in the delay in getting invitations to the Geneva talks, and today’s comments from Lavrov suggest it was never properly resolved, and that they simply let the matter go, for now, for the sake of letting the talks finally happen.

The HNC initially refused to attend the talks, which were due to start last Friday, saying the Syrian regime must first halt attacks on civilians, release prisoners and end sieges on rebel-controlled areas where thousands face starvation.

“We are waiting to find out the procedural issues, who will negotiate”.

“Staffan de Mistura should deal with all parties in a balanced way”, he added.

Lavrov was in the UAE meeting his Emirati counterpart. The Russian foreign minister was scheduled to hold talks in Oman on Wednesday. Please see our terms of service for more information.