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Conference on Middle East weapons-free zone may be convened soon — Lavrov

The stances of the sides on preparing for this important event have certain nuances, but compromises are taking shape, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says
League of Arab States meeting (archive) EPA/MOHAMED ADEL
League of Arab States meeting (archive)
© EPA/MOHAMED ADEL

KHARTOUM, December 3. /TASS/. A conference on creating the Middle East nuclear weapon free zone could be convened in the near future as signs of compromise are emerging, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a forum of the Russia-LAS strategic dialogue on Wednesday.

“The stances of the sides on preparing for this important event have certain nuances, but compromises are taking shape that could allow to announce that the event will be convened in the near future without any damage to the primary positions,” Lavrov said.

Lavrov said the discussion in the UN Security Council on in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict resolution is “long overdue,” adding that Russia is concerned by the current “deadlock” in the effort.

League of Arab States and the Middle East Quartet

Russia is for plugging the League of Arab States (LAS) into the activities of the Middle East quartet, Sergey Lavrov said.

“We believe that the criticism addressed to the Middle East quartet is quite fair. We are for stepping up its activity, but not in the original format, but in cooperation with the League of Arab States as a full-fledged member,” he said.