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An international meeting featuring Syria’s sides in conflict improbable before end May - source

He confirmed that during the meeting between Putin and Cameron the sides discussed “possible preparatory activities towards a format”

SOCHI, May 11 (Itar-Tass) - Organisation of an international meeting with participation of Syria’s sides in the conflict is improbable before end of May, a source in the Russian delegation at the negotiations between Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and the UK Prime Minister David Cameron said on Saturday. There are still too many disputable issues on the format of the meeting, the source explained.

“Kerry will meet with Obama on Monday, where they will discuss the topic, and later on, probably, will be an exchange of telephone calls /between heads of the states/,” the Russian source said. “However, it is not realistic to offer whatever timeframes.”

He confirmed that during the meeting between Putin and Cameron the sides discussed “possible preparatory activities towards a format.”

“Whether it would be a conference, or whatever, it is still too early to speak about it,” the source said.

“We have common understanding that the current situation cannot satisfy anybody, that on the background of ongoing statements the situation not only aggravates, but becomes truly dangerous not only for certain countries, but for the entire region.”

“The common understanding is there, and further down there are very many discrepancies: who may participate in the format, who is legitimate and who not,” the source explained. “Clearly there is not doing without the opposition, but the question remains - which opposition.”

“We are convinced /the Syrian opposition/ does not have a clear centre, with which to negotiate and which could fulfil further obligations,” the source said.