Syrian FM in Moscow for talks on Friday: Russian foreign ministry
AFP
MOSCOW, RUSSIA- Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem will hold talks with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Friday, Russia's deputy foreign minister said Monday.
"Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem's visit to Moscow and his talks with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov are expected on October 28," deputy foreign minister Gennady Gatilov told Interfax news agency Monday.
The visit comes as the West accuses Moscow of perpetrating potential war crimes in Aleppo through indiscriminate bombing in support of a Syrian government offensive to retake total control over the city of Aleppo.
A ceasefire meant to allow civilians and armed combatants to quit rebel-held eastern Aleppo ended at the weekend, with Moscow on Monday ruling out an extension of the truce for the time being.
Lavrov last week accused fighters from the Fateh al-Sham Front and influential Islamist Ahrar al-Sham group of obstructing the departure of civilians and combatants prepared to leave, saying they used "threats, blackmail and brute force."
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A ceasefire meant to allow civilians and armed combatants to quit rebel-held eastern Aleppo ended at the weekend, with Moscow on Monday ruling out an extension of the truce for the time being.
Lavrov last week accused fighters from the Fateh al-Sham Front and influential Islamist Ahrar al-Sham group of obstructing the departure of civilians and combatants prepared to leave, saying they used "threats, blackmail and brute force."
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