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Syrian President Meets Russian FM on Mideast Crisis
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met on Monday with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov on ways to ease the growing tension in the Middle East.
The talks focused on the bloody clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians which were further escalated by "Israeli provocations, threats and hostilities," said a Syrian presidential spokesman.
The two leaders also discussed efforts to stop violence in the Palestinian territories and on the Israeli-Lebanese border.
During the talks, Ivanov expressed his country's concerns over the deteriorating situation in the region and its potential risk to the peace process.
He pledged that Russia would work with the U.S. and Europe to spare the region the danger of explosion, which could lead to more violence and casualties and further incite threats against Syria and Lebanon.
For his part, Bashar appreciated Russia for its willingness to contribute to the efforts being made to halt the Israeli practices against the Palestinians, and prevent the tension from further escalating under the rising Israeli atrocities and the growing number of victims.
Bashar said Israel should respect and abide by the international laws which he termed as the sole way to settlement in the region.
Upon his arrival at the airport Sunday, Ivanov called for cessation of hostilities in the Middle East and stressed that dialog was the only way to peace in the region.
Ivanov, leading a 30-strong delegation, has concluded his visit here and arrived in the Lebanese capital Beirut. He is expected to travel to Israel later Monday.
Russia is the co-sponsor of the Middle East peace process, in which the U.S. plays a more influential role.
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