Moscow-Sana
MOSCOW - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated the need to eradicate remnants of terrorism in Syria in parallel with pushing the political process to resolve the crisis and restore security and stability to all parts of Syria.
Lavrov stressed in an interview with Russian newspaper Trud published today on the need for the return of Syrian displaced by terrorism to their homeland and said: "normal peaceful life is returning to Syria slowly," pointing to the survival of some hotbeds of terrorism in Idlib and eastern Syria.
Lavrov affirmed at a press conference yesterday his country's support for Syria in fighting terrorism and eliminating the remaining terrorists in Idlib province and respecting the sovereignty, integrity and territorial integrity of Syria.
Lavrov pointed to the efforts to form a committee to discuss the constitution, saying that the launch of its work would contribute to advancing the political process led by the Syrians themselves, noting that Moscow attaches importance to maintaining contacts with all parties in Syria and also calls for the widest possible representation of all components of Syrian society in the political process. .
Lavrov also called on the opposition to make a constructive contribution to a comprehensive political settlement in Syria in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
UN Resolution 2254, adopted in December 2015, affirms that it is the Syrians who determine their country's future without any external interference and that terrorist organizations are outside any political process.
In another context, Lavrov expressed his country's hope that Washington will reconsider its approach in the field of arms control, noting that Moscow is open to dialogue with Washington in this area.
Lavrov noted that Washington has taken an approach towards destroying the structure of strategic stability in order to ensure full freedom in the military field, pointing out that the US withdrawal from the treaty to get rid of medium and short-range missiles is the biggest example.
Russia confirmed that Washington had dealt another devastating blow to the arms control regime by officially announcing on January 2 its withdrawal from the short and medium-range missile treaty with Russia in 1987.
