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Senator to hold talks with members of moderate Syrian opposition

For instance, Moscow will welcome politicians, representing the Communist and other secular parties as well as the Christian clergy from that Arab country

MOSCOW, October 9 (Itar-Tass) — Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Federation Council upper chamber Mikhail Margelov will hold talks with members of “domestic” Syrian opposition.

Consultations will be held in line with undertaken efforts to settle contradictions in Syria, the senator told Itar-Tass on Sunday.

For instance, Moscow will welcome politicians, representing the Communist and other secular parties as well as the Christian clergy from that Arab country. ”Their views on reforming Syria are distinguished for their moderate nature; this is a moderate wing of the regime’s opponents,” Margelov explained. “It advocates a dialogue with the authorities and a non-violent settlement which can be reached, in their opinion, through gradual reforms.”

The delegation is headed by one of leaders of the Syrian Communist Party Kadri Jamil. These members of the opposition were invited to Moscow during a recent visit of a group of senators to Syria.

“The International Affairs Committee of the Federation Council intends to hold meetings with all groups of the Syrian opposition as well as with representatives of the authorities as well as to do this on a regular basis,” confirmed the committee chairman.

“Only such meetings will help conflict participants to find a compromise and to switch a settlement of contradictions to a peaceful footing with the participation of the Arab League and the UN,” he added.

On Saturday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told Itar-Tass that Moscow waits for two Syrian delegations in October. The first is “the domestic opposition” and the second – a group of opponents from abroad who announced in Istanbul the establishment of the so-called Syrian National Council.