Lavrov: "The only way to resolve international problems is by maintaining the UN's central role."

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said he would like to discuss possible political solutions to the Syrian conflict at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Voice of Russia correspondent reports.

Lavrov, for his part, said he expected the current visit by the UN secretary general to "allow the sides to give detailed consideration to the most important issues for the UN and the international community in general."

"The number of problems facing the world shows no signs of declining, and we are convinced that the only way to resolve them is the need to maintain the UN's central role and respect all of the principles set out in its charter," the Russian minister said.