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Russia FM dismisses rumors of agreement with US regarding Assad’s future

Only Syrian people will decide on the future of Syria in all aspects

MOSCOW, April 1. /TASS/. The United State regularly provides misinformation about details of talks on Syria, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a press conference on Friday.

"There are agreements on main principles of settlements in Syria between Moscow and Washington, they are open and fixed in decisions of Syria Support Group, UN Security Council resolutions," Lavrov said. "Yes, there are many speculations. They reflect the fact that partners from US are known at all levels not only for regularly ‘leaking’ details of diplomatic talks but also for rudely providing misinformation about what was discussed," he added.

In case with reports about alleged agreements between Russia and US on the future of Syrian President Bashar Assad, "facts are substituted, and wishful thinking is demonstrated," the foreign minister went on. "Though US signed joint agreements in ISSG [International Syria Support Group] and UN Security Council that say that only Syrian people will decide on the future of Syria in all aspects. This is the response fixed back last year in UN Security Council resolution to the question about the future of Bashar Assad," he added. "Such questions are resolved at free democratic election, and they are envisaged in the framework of the political process, the parameters of which were approved by UN Security Council," Lavrov said.

"That’s why our US partners cannot understand this and cannot publicly cast doubt on this formula. Such unscrupulous ‘leaks’ that distort reality demonstrate Washington’s inability to make some of their allies in the region, in Europe fulfill UN Security Council resolutions and ensure the Syrian people with their own sovereign right to decide on their future, including resolution of the issue of who will be their leader," the foreign minister added.

The ceasefire between government forces and armed opposition took effect in Syria at 00:00 Damascus Time on February 27. An hour before the agreement entered into force, UN Security Council adopted a resolution in support of cessation of hostilities in Syria.

The first round of inter-Syrian talks finished on March 24. The next round of negotiations should start no later than on April 11, though several delegations may join later, according to UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura.