Russia Urges Syria to Give Observers Maximum Freedom

Russia urged Syria Wednesday to provide as much freedom as possible for observers from the Arab League.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated at a news conference with his Egyptian counterpart that "we constantly work with the Syrian leadership calling on it to fully cooperate with observers from the Arab League and to create work conditions that are as comfortable and free as possible."

Lavrov also said that “Russia was "concerned by calls that were being made from some nations urging the Syrian opposition not to treat the mission as a serious attempt to establish facts on the ground.”

"Such calls play an extremely harmful role, a provocative role," he added, and pointed out that “if the Arab League mission helps calm the situation and create conditions for exclusive dialogue involving all Syrians... and if this happens thanks to the mission, then we would only be glad that the adoption of a resolution will not be required.”