MOSCOW, (SANA) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said that since the beginning, Russia supported the efforts of UN Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan to settle the crisis in Syria, and that it intends to continue to support them in the future.

During his talks with Annan at the Kremlin on Tuesday, Putin said "since the beginning and since your first steps as a special envoy for the United Nations to Syria, we provided support, and now we support your efforts to restore civil peace in Syria."

He pointed out that Annan's visit to Moscow is taking place on the background of tragic events in Syria, stressing that Annan is known to Moscow as a man with integrity who has popularity and trust.

For his part, Annan said that the situation in Syria has reached a turning point and is currently in a critical moment.

Lavrov: There's No Reason Preventing Agreement in Security Council on Syria

After the conclusion of the talks between President Putin and Annan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov voiced confidence that the Security Council will reach a consensus on the draft resolution on Syria.

Lavrov said that there was general consensus in the meeting in Geneva which was called for by Annan, and that agreement to the resulting Geneva statement was unanimous, thus he doesn't see any reason that prevents agreement in the Security Council.

In turn, Annan said that the talks touched on the discussions at the Security Council on Syria, hoping that the Council members will find solutions that are accepted by everyone.

H. Sabbagh