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Conflict in Syria

Moscow urges to call Geneva-3 conference on Syria as soon as possible — diplomat

"The sooner the better," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said when asked if the conference could be held after November 15

Russian Foreign Ministry building in Moscow ITAR-TASS/Gennady Khamelyanin

Russian Foreign Ministry building in Moscow

© ITAR-TASS/Gennady Khamelyanin

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MOSCOW, September 8. /TASS/. Moscow thinks it important to hold the Geneva-3 conference on theSyrian settlement as soon as possible, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and president’s special envoy for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov said on Tuesday.

"The sooner the better," he said when asked if the Geneva-3 conference could be held after November 15. "We support efforts of [United Nations envoy Staffan] de Mistura. Four sectoral groups have started their work."

Earlier, leader of the Syrian Popular Front for Change and Liberation Qadri Jamil said that the Geneva-3 conference could be convened in the second half of November. "Working groups on Syria initiated by Staffan de Mistura are to launch their activities from mid-September to be through by November 15," he said. "After the groups finish their work it will be clear when Geneva-3 could be convened."

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