Russia warns of 'huge threat' if Syria talks fail

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov blasted critics of a US-Russia initiative for a peace conference on Syria, warning that ousting President Assad militarily posed a "huge threat" to the region. "Open objections have surfaced against holding this Russia-US meeting (dubbed Geneva II), not only among Syrian sides but also among capitals, both in neighboring and non-neighboring states," Lavrov said during a visit to Athens, according to the official translation, AFP reported. "We must not allow this initiative to fizzle out," he added, arguing that the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad through military means would create an "extremist" state and pose a "huge threat to those living in Syria and the area". Moscow and Washington have been trying to win support for peace talks in Geneva from the warring parties in Syria, where more than 115,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the conflict. In the latest blow to peace efforts, 19 Extremist groups fighting the Syrian government issued a statement Sunday saying the Geneva conference "is not, nor will it ever be our people's choice or our revolution's demand".