Lavrov: Moscow, Washington to fight terrorism without leniency

Moscow, SANA- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia and the United States have
agreed to fight the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations “without leniency” and exert all possible efforts to resume the political dialogue and find a solution to the crisis in Syria.

“Moscow and Washington common goal is to guarantee a long-term truce including all the Syrian
territories, except ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra, Lavrov added in a joint press conference with his
US counterpart John Kerry held in Moscow on Friday.

Describing his talks with the US Secretary of State as very intensified, the Russian Foreign Minister pointed out that the talks also discussed activating endeavors for the implementation of the UN Security council and the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) resolutions on Syria.

Lavrov reiterated that Moscow and Washington support activating the work of the UN special
Envoy for Syria Staffan De Mistura.

He stressed that all UN Security Council and the ISSG resolutions clearly stated that only the Syrian people have the right to decide the future of their country.

For his part, Kerry called for the necessity of solving the crisis in Syria and fighting terrorism.

The US Secretary of State said that the Russian and US sides agreed to adopt new steps on enhancing the agreement of cessation of hostilities which could lead to positive results and pave the way for launching the political
process.

A military solution to the crisis in Syria is impossible, but there is only a political one, Kerry added.

H. Zain/ Mazen

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