Moscow says that the Western-led Friends of Syria group is no longer needed after the international meeting on Syria in Geneva three days ago.
In comments reported by Interfax news agency, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that "since the formation of the Syria Action Group on June 30 in Geneva, other forums to discuss resolution of the conflict are no longer needed."
Lavrov added that the "Group of Friends from its very inception has had the goal of supporting only one, foreign-based portion of the Syrian opposition."
The Russian foreign minister confirmed that Moscow, which has boycotted both previous meetings of the Friends of Syria, will not attend the group's meeting in Paris on July 6.
The United States, France, Britain, Germany, and Arab states Saudi Arabia and Qatar are leading members of the group.
In comments reported by Interfax news agency, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that "since the formation of the Syria Action Group on June 30 in Geneva, other forums to discuss resolution of the conflict are no longer needed."
Lavrov added that the "Group of Friends from its very inception has had the goal of supporting only one, foreign-based portion of the Syrian opposition."
The Russian foreign minister confirmed that Moscow, which has boycotted both previous meetings of the Friends of Syria, will not attend the group's meeting in Paris on July 6.
The United States, France, Britain, Germany, and Arab states Saudi Arabia and Qatar are leading members of the group.
