MOSCOW, (SANA)_The Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Alexander Lukashevich, said his country welcomes the Syrian opposition's readiness for starting dialogue with the government.

In a press conference in Moscow on Thursday, Lukashevich said that ''Russia calls for dialogue as the only way for solving the crisis,'' adding that ''this available possibility must seized to the maximum.''

He added that Russia will continue its intensive communications with the Syrian authorities and the opposition forces which will contribute to finding points of convergence to help the country get out of a chronic bloody conflict.

Lukashevich stressed that his country will continue on the principled path to political settlement to the crisis through an internal Syrian dialogue that is based on the UNSC resolutions and Geneva statement, indicating that Russia sees no other rational alternative.

He considered the radical change in the stance of the western countries towards the crisis in Syria will lead to great relief among all parties, adding that Geneva statement has been agreed upon by all sides, including the US, and Russia suggested that document within the framework of the UN Security Council resolution but it received no response.

Lukashevich noted that more international powers admit that violence and bloodshed will not achieve a settlement to the crisis in Syria, adding that there is cautious optimism for reaching a solution. He pointed out that there are some indications that the situation could change.

''The Russian Foreign Ministry welcomes and backs the efforts of the UN Envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi,'' Lukashevich said, pointing to real support offered through Brahimi's shuttle diplomacy.

He reiterated Russia's support to Brahimi, taking into account that his ideas are not unanimously agreed upon.

R. Raslan/ M. Ismael