Earlier this week, Lavrov met with his Saudi counterpart for Syria-focused talks that highlighted continuing sharp differences about Assad’s fate.
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Russian Federation supports Mr Al Assad’s regime, while Saudi Arabia has backed some of the rebel groups seeking to end his family’s decades-long rule. Despite his government’s brutality and aerial bombardment that has leveled some opposition-held areas, the 50-year-old former eye doctor now seems, at least to some, comparatively more palatable. The Kremlin has denied the visit took place: an unsurprising move given that it would have violated the UN travel ban imposed on Gen Soleimani. That represented a significant shift and an opening of channels between two countries that have become arch foes in Syria’s conflict.
Russian Federation is a key Assad partner and needs him being included in endeavors to battle Islamic State.
A Reuters photographer and cameraman present said the remark by Lavrov, known for often getting annoyed with photographers, appeared aimed at those who started snapping pictures as he raised his hand to adjust his glasses. The interim government was formed by the opposition umbrella group the National Coalition and claims to be the sole legitimate government.
But the agreement between Iran and six foreign powers that is expected to put the brakes on any effort by Tehran to develop nuclear weapons has opened up what analysts see as an opportunity to redefine political relationships in the Middle East.
The Saudi-owned daily al-Hayat on Saturday quoted “high-level Saudi sources” as saying that Riyadh believes such a bilateral withdrawal could pave the way for parliamentary and presidential elections overseen by the United Nations. “We’re seeing a huge uptick in shuttle diplomacy by all sides”.
The ministers will continue “a discussion on ways to resolve the crisis in Syria”, the Russian foreign ministry said.
“They all must be united, and the regional players must use their influence with the groups on the ground to make such unification as efficient as possible”, Lavrov said.
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One Twitter user said Riyadh would respond by pumping more oil and dragging the price further down to hurt Russian Federation, which is overwhelmingly reliant on energy exports. In another sign of improving relations, two Russian Buyan-class patrol boats arrived at the Iranian Caspian Sea port of Bandar Anzali on 10 August.
