Lavrov, Kerry to discuss convening Syria conference

Speaking on the phone Friday, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his American counterpart John Kerry agreed to meet in Paris on Monday to review preparations for the next conference on Syria.

According to an understanding reached by them at a meeting in Moscow on May 7, the delegates to this conference should persuade the Syrian government and the opposition to sit down for talks. Damascus has already agreed to send a delegation to the conference. The opposition is yet to be persuaded to do so.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement made Friday that the opposition should do this without preconditions. The Russian Foreign Minister and his US colleague say they hope the proposed conference can be held in early June.