Syrian FM informs Russia of security plan with rebels

Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem on Friday informed Moscow of a security plan regarding a ceasefire and a possible prison swap with the rebel groups, Syria's official SANA news agency reported. Walid al-Moallem revealed the move at a press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov during his visit to the country. He said Damascus handed over a plan of "security arrangements" to Moscow out of his nation's "trust in Russia," adding that he had urged Lavrov to start contacts with other parties in order to set a date for a ceasefire in Aleppo and a possible prisoner swap with the opposition fighters. Observers said the revelation indicates the seriousness of the Syrian government on making the upcoming Geneva II conference successful. Moallem also said Syria and Russia share the same perspectives on exerting all efforts to make the talks on the crisis in Syria a success. The conference, slated for Jan. 22, aims to engage warring Syrian parties to seek a solution to the three-year-old crisis in the country.