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Talks with Syria’s internal opposition begin in Moscow

He described Annan’s six-point peace plan as Syria’s almost last chance
Photo ITAR-TASS
Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, April 16 (Itar-Tass) — The talks with a delegation of Syria’s “internal” opposition have begun in Moscow.

The delegation is led by one of the leaders of the Syrian National Coordination Committee, Hassan Abdul Azim.

Russian presidential envoy for the Middle East, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov is receiving opposition leaders.

Syria’s “internal” opposition intends to persuade Russia “to exert pressure” on President Bashar al-Assad’s regime to fulfil a peace plan of U.N.-Arab League peace envoy Kofi Annan, Hassan Abdul Azim told Itar-Tass on Monday upon his arrival to Moscow.

“We would like to express our point of view to persuade the Russian authorities to exert pressure on the regime (of Bashar al-Assad) in order to withdraw troops from cities and release prisoners,” he said. “We want a normal atmosphere for political dialogue between all parties to be created.”

He described Annan’s six-point peace plan as Syria’s almost last chance.

“The plan is supported by Russia and China,” Azim said. “Although the regime has accepted this initiative, it fulfils it still not very seriously.”

The Syrian delegation is also expected to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the head of the State Duma international affairs committee, Alexei Pushkov, and Federation Council senators.