Syria’s foreign minister told Moscow Tuesday Damascus has started withdrawing troops in line with Kofi Annan’s peace plan, while Russia called for settling the crisis in Syria without any foreign interference.
Syria's foreign minister told Moscow Tuesday Damascus has started withdrawing troops in line with Kofi Annan's peace plan, while Russia called for settling the crisis in Syria without any foreign interference, AFP reported.
"I told my Russian colleague of the steps Syria is taking to show its goodwill for the implementation of the Annan plan," Moallem said after talks with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow.
"We have already withdrawn military units from different Syrian provinces," he stated without giving further details on the location. Moallem also said Syria freed some prisoners arrested for participating in anti-government riots.
According to AFP, Moallem added that a ceasefire should begin "simultaneously" with the arrival of international observers.
He noted that although Syrian government has taken positive steps, operations of the armed terrorist groups have been widely increased.
With tensions riding high between Damascus and Ankara for its stance towards the situation in Syria, Moallem accused Turkey of undermining the Annan plan by arming the rebels and helping them cross the border.
"Turkey... supports illegal Syrian militant groups, supplies them with weapons... and lets them illegally cross into Syria," Moallem said. "How can we (fulfill the plan) if there are still illegal arms deliveries and moving of militants from Turkey?" he asked.
For his part, Lavrov made clear - during the joint press conference with Moallem - that Syria should be more decisive in exerting pressure on armed opposition and that all parties should cooperate to fulfill Anan’s plan.
"We believe their actions could have been more active, more decisive when it comes to the implementation of the plan," Lavrov said at the conference.
He confirmed however that Syrian FM had informed him that Damascus was starting to implement the key conditions of the plan concerning the withdrawal of weaponry and troops.
SANA state news agency reported FM Moallem describing talks with Lavrov as 'constructive', where view points were close. He also asserted the importance of Russian role in solving the crisis, expressing Syria's welcome to Russian observers.
The visit of Foreign Minister Walid Moallem to Moscow coincided with a deadline under the Annan plan for Syria to withdraw forces from cities of conflict.
Meanwhile, UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan will send a letter to the Security Council Tuesday on Syria, where a deadline for military to withdraw from urban areas has expired, AFP quoted his spokesman as saying.
Russia has repeatedly condemned the West for taking what it says is a one-sided approach in the conflict; Yet, Moscow believes its position towards Syria is objective.
