Lavrov, Kerry Discuss Troubled Bid For Syria Peace Conference

May 29, 2013

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke by telephone on May 29 about Syria, including “practical preparations” for an international peace conference.

Details of the conversation were not immediately available.

But the White House said later that every option for international intervention remains on the table, including a no-fly zone over Syria.

Lavrov has complained that Washington is undermining attempts to jointly organize the peace conference by promoting a UN resolution that condemns Syria’s government.

Moscow also opposes the European Union's May 28 decision not to renew an arms embargo on Syrian rebels, possibly paving the way for EU states to send weapons to President Bashar al-Assad’s opponents.

On May 29, Washington also called on Lebanon’s Hizballah to immediately withdraw its fighters from Syria.

France says there are up to 4,000 Hizballah in Syria supporting Assad’s regime.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/syria-lavrov-kerry-peace/25001300.html

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