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Russian foreign minister, UN envoy to discuss Syrian political settlement

"This is not only the humanitarian situation that we deal with very closely, including in coordination with UN agencies, but also the political process," Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said

MOSCOW, December 1. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura are expected to discuss ways for political settlement in Syria when they meet in Rome, a senior Russian diplomat told reporters on Thursday.

"We stay in constant touch with the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura," Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said. "I hope tomorrow or the day after tomorrow Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet with Mr. De Mistura, and these issues will also be discussed," said Bogdanov.

"This is not only the humanitarian situation that we deal with very closely, including in coordination with UN agencies, but also the political process," said Bogdanov, who is also Russian president’s special envoy for the Middle East and Africa.

"Eventually, the Syrians must themselves agree on how they are going to live together in one state," he added. Speaking about prospects for a direct intra-Syrian dialog, Bogdanov said "contacts proceed at different levels". "We are in favor of implementation of the international agreements achieved within the framework of the International Syria Support Group and in the UN Security Council, resolution 2254," he said.

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Lavrov says US policy of dealing with 'moderate opposition' in Syria doomed from start

"They are exactly about the political prospects, political settlement that must be achieved through establishing an inclusive inter-Syrian negotiating process with the participation of the government and different opposition groups, including internal opposition," he said.

"The opposition is heterogeneous - moderate, less moderate, liberal and Islamic opposition. We are in favor of having representatives of different ethno-confessional groups there," he said.

Earlier reports said Lavrov will address the Mediterranean Dialogues conference that opens in Rome on Thursday.

The forum hosts heads of state and government, as well as foreign ministers. De Mistura and US Secretary of State John Kerry are expected to attend the conference. On Friday, Lavrov is due to meet with Kerry.

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