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Russia accepts format of international presence in Syria

“Depending on those tasks that will emerge, it will be able to provide services to the international community in building up the relevant process,” Churkin said

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

UNITED NATIONS, August 17 (Itar-Tass) — Russia accepts the UN Secretary-General proposed format of international presence in Syria, Russia’s envoy to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin told reporters on Thursday.

“In principle, we accept this,” he said adding that Ban Ki-moon proposed “a rather successful formula of what the UN presence should be” after the UN Supervision Mission expires on Sunday. “This formula fully fits the plan (peace plan proposed by UN-Arab League envoy for Syria Kofi Annan) and the Geneva document.”

The Russian diplomat reiterated that in his letter sent to UN Security Council member-states Ban Ki-moon described a liaison office in Damascus as “an effective and flexible UN presence in Syria” to work toward ending hostilities and “to support the Syrians in taking the steps they identify towards a negotiated and inclusive political settlement.'”

“Depending on those tasks that will emerge, it will be able to provide services to the international community in building up the relevant process,” Churkin said. “We believe that this is important and we expect that the UN will be able to do what has been said in the Secretary-General’s letter.”

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