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Russia rejects preconditions on Assad future

Wednesday, 18 November 2015 3:03 PM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 18 November 2015 3:03 PM ]

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) and his Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil arrive for a meeting in Moscow, Russia, November 18, 2015. ©AP

Russia has called on world powers to unite in their fight against terrorism without setting any preconditions on the future of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the remarks after meeting his Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil in the Russian capital city of Moscow on Wednesday.

"It seems to me there are no longer any doubts that it is simply unacceptable to put forward any preconditions for joining forces in the fight against terror," Lavrov said.

The comments came two days after French President Francois Hollande urged the formation of a broad coalition against the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group, adding that the proposal will be discussed with both US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin next week.

The plan was put forward following the November 13 attacks in the French capital city of Paris, which left 132 people dead and over 350 others injured. Daesh claimed responsibility for the deadly assaults.

People observe a minute of silence outside the Bataclan music hall to pay tribute to the victims of the November 13 attacks in Paris, France, November 16, 2015. ©Reuters

Elsewhere in his remarks, the top Russian diplomat further expressed hope that other European states would be more open to cooperating with Moscow against ongoing conflict in Syria.

"I hope that the change in position of our Western colleagues -- which unfortunately came at the cost of the terrible terror attacks -- will be seen on the part of our other Western partners," he said.

He also dismissed rumors that a consensus had been reached on the fate of the Syrian president at the latest round of the Syria talks, saying, "There have been no agreements on President Assad's non-participation in whatever stage of political process.”

At the end of the negotiations, which were held in the Austrian capital city of Vienna on November 14, the United Nations released a joint statement on behalf of all the participants, saying Syria should have a transitional government in six months and hold elections in 18 months.

Since March 2011, Syria has been beset by foreign-backed militancy, which has so far claimed the lives of over 250,000 people and displaced millions of others.

Some Western states support militants fighting against President Assad's government, saying he must leave power, while Russia and some other countries, including Iran, back him as an important part of a potential peace process saying the Syrian people should decide about this.

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