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Russia warns of attempts to ‘derail’ Syria talks

A Syrian man walks along an alley in the old part of the capital Damascus on April 13, 2016. (AFP)

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.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) and his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault (L) during a joint press conference after their meeting in Moscow on April 19, 2016 (AFP)

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.”

UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy (4th L) attends an internal Syrian opposition delegation meeting in Geneva on April 19, 2015. (AFP)

"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.”      


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