Assad's Deputy Invited to Moscow for 'Serious' Talks
Syrian Vice President Farouq al-Sharaa is to hold talks with Russian officials in Moscow in a bid to defuse the crisis in his country, Russian news agencies quoted a Kremlin source as saying Friday.
"He is to be received in Moscow for a serious conversation," said the source, who was not identified. "This is our contribution to a solution to the crisis, which of course is worrying us."
It was not clear when the talks would be held but some unconfirmed reports said that Shara arrived in Moscow on Friday and would meet Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The announcement of the talks comes after Russia on Thursday took fellow U.N. Security Council members by surprise when it suddenly proposed a draft resolution condemning the violence by both the opposition and regime in Syria.
"Anyone who thinks we are going to praise the vice president of Syria or pat him on the head is wrong," added the source. "Russia is not going to become Syria's lawyer."
"This is our contribution, as a country which in the past had very active ties with Syria," the source added.
Moscow still maintains its Soviet-era ties with Syria which is a leading buyer of Russian weapons and also hosts a Russian naval base.
over 12 years
You are in trouble ASSad. No doubt Putin is setting up deals with you out of the picture.
If I were the opposition I would go to Moscow right after you leave and make a deal.
over 12 years
The equation became very clear to the russians, especially after yesterday's attacks on regime troops. For the first time, more regime loyalists died than protesters in one day. Russia had to make a move to keep things under controle and save face as bashar lost the offense and will gradually go on the defense until he's removed/killed.
It also gives the Russian time to get their fleet to the Mediterranean...
over 12 years
Something is really brewing in the backyard! The Russian have realised that the Syrian regime has set its mind on killing its people incessantly which is something that no sane country, and more so Russia, could support no matter what their interests are. The regime has to understand the end game and relinguish power ASAP to save its neck. Maybe, Bashar and his people could be offered exile in Russia after they abdicate their throne.
It's time for Syria to be liberated and for Lebanon to follow suit so that both natiosn could ultimately live in peace and harmony and maybe in the future we both could be one confederation that could become a superpower in the Arab world.
God bless the Syrian people and protect their cause.
over 12 years
al-Sharaa is the leading regime Sunni and the Russians always thought he could be a viable replacement for Assad. Besides he's been under pressure since the revolt began and very closely watched by Assad's inner circle, the invitation to Moscow is very suspicious.
over 12 years
Russia received the payment it asked for, Farouq Al-Sharaa will not be coming back . . . .
over 12 years
All the Syrian opposition needs to do is tell the Russians that they can keep their naval base and that they will honor all agreements made with Russia and they will maintain the special relation with Russia..if the Russians help them oust Assad and his regime. I think the Russian will accept that proposal considering that if they keep helping Assad they will certainly loose everything
over 12 years
Lebanon and Iran are Syria's lungs? Russia its shield? Well, the sheild is about to be taken away. Iran is looking for a new Arab ally in Iraq and Hezbollah is busy making itself financially independent through its drug operations in South America and money laudering operations.
No lungs, no shield. Assad if he gets out of his delusional state should be negotiating with Putin about asylum
it seems even russia is about o drop this regime :)
let us hope hizbushaitan learns something from this and spare lebanon a major disaster.
let us hope hizbushaitan thinks lebanese and not syro/iranian.