US envoy for Syria meets with Russian officials in Moscow

The United States' newly appointed special envoy for Syria, Michael Ratney, met with Russian officials Friday to discuss ways to end the Syrian civil war.

More than 240,000 people have died in the conflict, the United Nations estimates.

"These meetings in Moscow are part of consultations to follow up on Secretary [of State John] Kerry's recent discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Doha and Kuala Lumpur, as well as ongoing efforts to support the Syrian opposition and to work toward convergence of views among foreign governments and the Syrians themselves on a political transition in Syria and the defeat of extremists," the U.S. State Department said in a statement.

Ratney met with Russia's deputy foreign minister, Mikhail Bogdanov.

Ratney is due to meet next with officials in Saudi Arabia on the Geneva Communique, the Middle East Monitor reported. The communique is a roadmap to a political solution in Syria that in part calls for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to relinquish power. It was introduced in 2012 by U.N peace envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan.

"These discussions are just at their beginning which is why it's so important that... Mr. Ratney is going," said State Department spokesman John Kirby.

Russia is a firm supporter and client of Bashar al-Assad, and believes that he must be a part of the political solution. Assad said in a televised interview this week that he is confident he will receive continued support from Iran and Russia. The United States has repeatedly said it seeks a political transition without him.
Source: MENA