MOSCOW, September 23. /TASS/. Top Russian diplomat Sergey Lavrov discussed regional issues, with a focus on unresolved crises around Syria's borders, at a meeting with Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, the Russian Foreign Ministry said following their meeting on the sidelines of the high-level week of the UN General Assembly's 81st session.

"The foreign ministers considered current regional issues of mutual interest, with a focus on unresolved crises around the borders of the Syrian Arab Republic," the ministry said.

Lavrov reaffirmed Russia's principled support for Syria's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity and stressed the need to consolidate international efforts to help the country's leadership overcome the challenges of the transitional period. "The Russian side reaffirmed its principled position in support of the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic. The need to consolidate international efforts for Syria's post-conflict reconstruction and to assist its leadership in overcoming the challenges of the transitional period was emphasized," the statement noted.

Lavrov and al-Shaibani agreed to maintain contacts at various levels. "The sides agreed to continue contacts at various levels, including at multilateral platforms," the ministry concluded.