MOSCOW, March 28 (Itar-Tass) —— Moscow hopes that the Syrian opposition will follow the example of Damascus and will support Kofi Annan’s plan, Alexander Lukashevich, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman, said on Wednesday.
“Moscow met with satisfaction the statement of UN and Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan that he had received the confirmation of the Syrian government’s consent to his proposal for peaceful settlement in the Syrian Arab Republic,” Lukashevich said. “As is known, this proposal supported by the official statement of the chairman of the UN Security Council of March 21, 2012 envisages, specifically, an end to armed violence by all sides under the effective control of a special UN mechanism, the rendering of humanitarian aid to those who suffered and the start of an inclusive inter-Syrian political dialogue,” he said.
“We are convinced that this offers a real opportunity for the realization of lawful aspirations of all Syrians with respect for the country’s sovereignty and independence and consolidated support by the entire international community for Annan’s mission,” Lukashevich said. “This opportunity must not be lost,” he stressed.
“It is extremely important in this context that Syrian opposition groups should follow Damascus’ example and state clearly their consent to the proposal for peaceful settlement made by the UN and Arab League special envoy and supported by the UN Security Council,” Lukashevich said.
“It stands to reason that much depends now also on external players, particularly those who are capable of exerting positive influence on oppositionists,” Lukashevich stressed. “It is not a split and armed confrontation but a responsible attitude aimed at the quest for mutually-acceptable solutions during the comprehensive political process with Annan’s mediation that will make it possible to stop bloodshed and violence and put an end to suffering of peaceful citizens and ensure stable democratic development of Syria,” he said.