Russian FM discusses Syria settlement with US, Iranian counterparts

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed over phone on Tuesday with his U.S. and Iranian counterparts respectively, about the current situation in Syria, calling for the fulfilment of a truce regime, China.org.cn reported.

A nationwide ceasefire brokered by the United States and Russia came into force on Feb. 27. Still, Syria witnessed escalating tensions threatening to undo ongoing efforts seeking to appease the humanitarian crisis.

Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry discussed the possibility of resorting to the International Syrian Support Group (ISSG) to ensure the cessation of hostilities, and voiced their support of intra-Syrian dialogue in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in an online statement.

During a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister, the two sides noted the need to establish a stable political process with the participation of representatives of Assad and all parties of the opposition in line with the UN Security Council resolutions 2254 and 2268, the ministry said in a separate statement.

The ISSG will meet on May 17 in Vienna, Austria, to discuss the enhancement of nationwide cessation of hostilities in Syria, Global Times reported.