Lavrov criticises Syrian opposition

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov launched scathing attack on the Syrian opposition on Thursday accusing it of seeking to scuttle efforts to reach a political settlement to the crisis in Syria. Lavrov, speaking at a news conference with his visiting Cuban counterpart, said the Syrian Coalition "does not desire to be involved in the political process and is diligently seeking to persuade the West to intervene militarily in Syria. "Russia does not recognize the Coalition as the sole representative of the Syrian people." Lavrov added that other Syrian parties and groups had declared intention to take part in the peace process for Syria. "Leaders of these forces have not left Syria and they have the right to express interests of the forces seeking reforms," he stressed. He branded as "impossible" terms set by the opposition to sit at the negotiating table in Geneva, clearly alluding to the opposition demand that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad step down as pre-condition to get involved in settlement talks. Russia is a staunch supporter of Al-Assad's regime, both at the political and military levels. Bulk of arms provided to the Syrian Army is imported from Moscow.