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Conflict in Syria

Kremlin declines to comment on Free Syrian Army talks in Russia

The Kremlin spokesman confirmed that Moscow is working on developing a peaceful plan for Syria

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov TASS/Yuri Mashkov

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov

© TASS/Yuri Mashkov

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MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. The Kremlin declined to comment on Tuesday on talks held with representatives of the Free Syrian Amy in Russia.

"Honestly speaking, I would prefer to leave this topic for colleagues from the Foreign Ministry," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

When asked about how the Russian president treated the Free Syrian Army, the Kremlin spokesman said "it was stated on many occasions that certain problems exist with identifying the so-called moderate opposition."

"There is also a shortage of interaction with our colleagues in identifying really moderate forces, which could help fight terrorist and extremist organizations in Syria," Peskov said.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov earlier confirmed that "they [envoys of the Free Syrian Army] are present here [in Russia] all the time."

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Russia confirms having contacts with Free Syrian Army — Russian deputy foreign minister

"Moreover, different people are present as some come and others go but all say they are representatives of the Free Syrian Army," he said.

The deputy foreign minister said last week at a meeting with representatives of some Syrian parties that it was necessary "to mobilize forces and consolidate possibilities for more effective struggle against the IS [Islamic State terrorist grouping banned in Russia]."

‘We have always said that a broad anti-terrorist front should bring together all those who are fighting terrorists on the ground. These are the Syrian army, the Kurdish self-defense units, the Syrian Free Army and other armed formations of patriotic opposition," the deputy foreign minister said.

Kremlin does not comment on anonymous reports about Russia’s guarantees for Assad

Peskov has refused to comment on media reports saying that part of the peaceful plan in Syria may include certain guarantees provided by Russia in case Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will not participate in elections.

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"We do not comment on anonymous sources," Peskov said adding that "the significance of such reports by anonymous sources is close to zero."

At the same time, the Kremlin spokesman confirmed that Moscow is working on developing a peaceful plan for Syria. "This is right. Efforts are in fact collective, and we welcome involvement of other countries," he noted. "Russia makes great efforts at all possible levels to facilitate the process of Syrian settlement," Peskov stressed.

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Foreign policy Bashar Assad Syrian conflict

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