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Conflict in Syria

US ambassador admits political solution is only way to resolve Syria crisis

"We know this is going to be difficult but we think that a political solution is the way forward, that there is no fundamental military solution possible in Syria," John Tefft said

© Valeriy Sharifulin/TASS

CONFLICT IN SYRIA

MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. The Syrian crisis settlement is possible only through a political solution, US Ambassador to Russia John Tefft said on Thursday.

Commenting on the inter-Syrian talks that will bring together the Syrian government representatives and opposition on January 29 in Geneva, Tefft said "we know this is going to be difficult but we think that a political solution is the way forward, that there is no fundamental military solution possible in Syria."

"We are working together [with Russia] on Syria with regard to the International Syria Support Group," Tefft said.

The ambassador said Moscow and Washington "still have very strong differences" concerning the operation of Russia’s Aerospace Forces in Syria. According to him, most of the airstrikes are delivered at the Syrian opposition, not at the positions of the Islamic State terrorist group.

"We would like to see a more concerted effort to deal with ISIL first," Tefft said.

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