Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says some “players” are attempting to “derail” talks over ending the conflict in Syria.
"There are some players -- on the outside -- who cherish the dream of overthrowing the (Syrian) regime by force, try everything possible, including derailing the Geneva talks," the TASS news agency quoted Lavrov as saying on Tuesday.
Lavrov made the remarks after a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault in Moscow.
"I believe that France, and the United States, categorically do not agree with such attempts," he added.
He noted that Russia and its partners are doing all they can to prevent a military solution for the Syrian conflict.
"This is a way to ultimate chaos, a breakdown of another state… It is necessary to bring those nurturing those plans to justice,” he added.
In reference to top negotiators of Syria’s opposition group High Negotiations Committee (HNC) quitting the ongoing peace talks being held in Geneva, he stressed that the negotiations between the Syrian government and other groups are not “frozen.”
"No opposition group… none of them alone have a monopoly right to represent the opponents of the regime,” he stressed.
Earlier, Riyad Hijab, the HNC coordinator, said that he was leaving Switzerland, repeating allegations that the Syrian government is violating a truce deal despite the talks.
Following the announcement, Syria’s chief envoy to the talks, Bashar Ja'afari, said even if the HNC delegation leaves Geneva, the talks will continue.
"If they want to boycott, they can boycott. It's not a big problem for us because they are not the only representatives of the Syrian opposition,” said Ja'afari, adding that the arguments used by the HNC are not “convincing.”