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Russia urges Syria not to weaken cooperation with LAS mission

Russia urged Syria not to weaken cooperation with the League of Arab States (LAS) mission and urged the LAS observers to show impartiality

MOSCOW, December 30 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia urged Syria not to weaken cooperation with the League of Arab States (LAS) mission and urged the LAS observers to show impartiality, a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Russia “states with satisfaction the real launch of the LAS observer mission in Syria that is being deployed in various regions of the country.” “Russia came out for this move from the very beginning in the country’s contacts with all countries in the region, proceeding from the need to get the unbiased information about the events in Syria,” the source recalled.

“Judging from public statements by head of the LAS observer mission Mohammed Ahmed Mustafa al-Dabi, who visited Homs among the first places that is frequently mentioned in the media reports as the centre of the protesting movement, the situation in the city is hopeful and no clashes were reported there. All members of the LAS observer mission noted the assistance from local Syrian authorities,” the Russian diplomatic source said.

“It is obvious that the observers only began working and much more is to be done, primarily in direct contacts with the local population,” the source said. “In this respect, we consistently urge the Syrian leadership not to weaken constructive cooperation with the LAS mission, create favourable conditions for the LAS mission to fulfil its tasks under the protocol signed in Cairo on December 19,” the Russian diplomatic source said.

“Meanwhile, we hope for professionalism and impartiality of the LAS observer mission,” he said. “Their activities should put up a barrier against any violence, pave the way to realize the LAS initiative, which is seeking for a peaceful settlement of the Syrian domestic crisis through the soonest establishment of the Syrian domestic political dialogue without any external interference,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said. “We believe it very important to gain a consolidated support at international and regional levels to accomplish the tasks the LAS observers are facing,” the Russian diplomatic source underlined.

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