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No alternative to Annan’s peace plan for Syria

Annan thanked Russia for its constant support to “his efforts in the peace settlement of the Syrian crisis”

MOSCOW, June 3 (Itar-Tass) —— The Syrian events show there is no alternative to the settlement plan of UN/LAS Envoy Kofi Annan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Annan by phone on Sunday. Annan initiated the conversation.

“Annan informed the minister about the results of his trip to Syria and his opinion of the developments in that country, the Russian Foreign Ministry reports.

“Lavrov stressed there was no alternative to the envoy’s peace plan of political and diplomatic settlement of the crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic. The minister emphasized that the main task of the present was the consolidation of efforts of all the key participants towards the comprehensive implementation of the Annan proposals,” it said.

“Therefore, Russia is holding regular and purposeful contacts with Syrian authorities and the opposition to encourage the beginning of a substantive political dialog,” the ministry said. “We expect our partners, especially those who have influence on Syrian opposition groups, to act in the same way.”

“In order to assist the efforts of the special envoy, Russia is ready to consider options, which will coordinate international activity on the Syrian track,” the ministry said.

Annan thanked Russia for its constant support to “his efforts in the peace settlement of the Syrian crisis and confirmed the readiness for further active contacts in the promotion of his peace plan,” the ministry said.