Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has urged Western countries that can influence the Syrian opposition to make sure that it takes part in the Geneva II international conference on Syria.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has urged Western countries that can influence the Syrian opposition to make sure that it takes part in the Geneva II international conference on Syria.

“The main goal on Syria now is to make sure that the entire political spectrum of Syrian society be present at the Geneva II conference,” Interfax quoted Lavrov as saying on Thursday.

Russia has done its job of ensuring the Syrian government's presence, the minister added. The opposition should “recall its courage… give up its ambitions” and primarily address the interests of all Syrian people, Lavrov said.

He added that "it's not the right time now to distribute portfolios, not to mention threaten to leave the Syrian opposition's National Coalition."