MOSCOW, November 26. /TASS/. Russia condemns attempts to use extremist groups for toppling Syria's government, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after talks with his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem.

The struggle with terrorism in the Middle East is a priority for the world community, Lavrov said. “We are unanimous the main factor that determines the march of events in the Middle East is the threat of terrorism and extremism,” he said.

Russia will keep helping Syria fight Islamic State (IS), other terrorists, Lavrov added. It is important to resume political dialogue simultaneously with antiterrorism fight against IS, he added.

The struggle with terrorism must be conducted without double standards. The strikes against the Islamic State without consent from Damascus run counter to the basics of international law, Lavrov said.

“The struggle with terrorism must be conducted without double standards. In that connection, there emerge questions to the coalition that is dealing strikes against the Islamic State without consent from Damascus,” he said. “The United States’ outspokenly ideologized refusal to cooperate with Damascus looks inadequate against the background of the successful completion of Syria’s chemical disarmament, which reaffirms Damascus’s ability to negotiate and come to terms."

Russia supports the efforts of UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura to spread the practice of local truces, the Russian foreign minister said. “Success in this sphere will make it possible to avoid many casualties and return thousands of citizens to normal life,” Lavrov said.