Syria, Russia call for comprehensive peace in Mideast

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday called for a comprehensive peace in the Middle East, the official SANA news agency reported.

Both sides underlined in a meeting the significance to "seize the peace opportunity, if it exits, and achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region."

Lavrov, for his part, emphasized "Russia's keenness on working with Syria with the aim of reaching out to a comprehensive settlement for the Arab-Israeli conflicts."

The meeting also focused on the latest developments in the region, particularly Lebanon, and Russia's role to realize security and stability in the Middle East.

They stressed the need of Israel's adherence to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, atop of which is the Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon.

Resolution 1701 calls for Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon and authorizes an increase of the existing UN force in Lebanon to 15,000 troops to help Lebanese government troops take control of south Lebanon after Israel's withdrawal.

Lavrov just wrapped up a brief visit to Lebanese capital of Beirut where he discussed with the Lebanese leadership the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon's Shiite group Hezbollah that went into effect on Aug. 14 and Russia's participation in reconstruction efforts.

Lavrov was also scheduled to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories during his Middle East tour.

Source: Xinhua