Lavrov: Syrian Gov’t, Opposition Must Work together to Expel Terrorists

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called the Syrian government and the opposition to work together to expel all “terrorists and extremists from Syria”.

At the start of talks with Syrian Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Qadri Jamil, Lavrov said the goal agreed atLavrov meeting with Qadri Jamil a meeting of the Group of Eight (G8) major economies last month to expel the “terrorists and extremists” should “become one of the main points of the proposed international (peace) conference,” Russian news agencies reported.

“To our regret, unlike the government of Syria, a significant part of the opposition, including the National Coalition, has not expressed such readiness yet,” he said, referring to a largely exiled opposition group.

Jamil blamed the West for the “siege” against his country and said he expected that a loan from Russia would be arranged by the end of the year.

“The main responsibility for this siege lies in the West, which is the main perpetrator of the ongoing suffering of the Syrian people,” he said.

“We discussed it, although it is still early to talk of concrete figures,” Jamil was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying.

“We hope that the question will be solved by the end of the year, experts are now discussing it.”

“All agreements between Russia and Syria in the area of arms deliveries are in place,” the Syrian deputy prime minister pointed out.

“Relations between Syria and Russia are strengthening for the good of peace in the region,” he added.