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Conflict in Syria

Russian military invites UN to discuss evacuating refugees from Rukban

A UN official described Russia’s proposal as useful and timely

Rukban camp refugees © AP Photo

Rukban camp refugees

DAMASCUS, March 22. /TASS/. The head of the Russian center for the reconciliation of the warring parties in Syria, Maj. Gen. Viktor Kupchishin, requested the UN assistance in withdrawing refugees from the Rukban camp.

"I suggest joining forces for solving this problem, gathering and holding a coordination council in Damascus with the participation of all concerned officials and organizations - the United Nations, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, the Syrian Foreign Ministry, governors and municipal officials," Kupchishin said, opening the talks with Syria Humanitarian Coordinator Corinne Fleischer.

"This requires careful preparations, we will set the date and send official invitations for participation in the coordination conference," he said, adding that Russia sees the UN as "a guarantor of stability" in Syria and "is ready for cooperation with the UN to solve the issue of Rukban refugees."

The UN official, in her turn, agreed that practical measures should be taken to help those in need in Rukban, and described Russia’s proposal as useful and timely.

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Syrian conflict

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