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Middle East and North Africa

Putin satisfied with Syria-OPCW-UN contacts

Russia's president discussed preparations for convening the Geneva II Peace Conference with Syrian counterpart

© ITAR-TASS/Mikhail Metzel

MOSCOW, November 14,(ITAR-TASS). President Vladimir Putin said he was satisfied with interaction between Syrian authorities and the OPCW-U.N. Joint Mission.

Putin had a telephone conversation with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday to discuss preparations for convening the Geneva II Peace Conference and measures to take chemical weapons in Syria under international control and eliminate them, the Kremlin press service reported.

“Vladimir Putin praised Bashar al-Assad’s readiness to send a governmental delegation to Geneva. Putin expressed hope that major opposition groups will take a constructive position and take part in the conference,” the Kremlin said.

Commenting on the humanitarian situation in Syria, Putin said he was concerned about reports “persecutions of Christians and other religious minorities in Syria”.

Putin said he was hoping that the Syrian government would do everything possible to ease the population’s sufferings and restore inter-confessional peace.

Al-Assad thanked the Russian leaders for support and aid to the Syrian people.

The presidents of both countries confirmed that they sought to develop relations.

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