The Russian Foreign Ministry says the Syrian government has agreed to participate in a Russian initiative for talks in Moscow between the Syrian regime and Syrian opposition figures.
Reuters has reported that an unnamed senior member of the Syrian Opposition Council has already rejected participating in any talks backed by Russia, which is seen as a traditional ally of the Syrian regime.
In a related development, France and Britain have announced that their foreign ministers will travel to the United Nations to speak on January 31 in support of a UN Security Council resolution on the Syrian crisis.
Veto-wielding Security Council member Russia has blocked previous Western efforts for a resolution threatening potential measures against Bashar al-Assad's government over the violence against antiregime protesters.
Based on RFE/RL and agency reports
Reuters has reported that an unnamed senior member of the Syrian Opposition Council has already rejected participating in any talks backed by Russia, which is seen as a traditional ally of the Syrian regime.
In a related development, France and Britain have announced that their foreign ministers will travel to the United Nations to speak on January 31 in support of a UN Security Council resolution on the Syrian crisis.
Veto-wielding Security Council member Russia has blocked previous Western efforts for a resolution threatening potential measures against Bashar al-Assad's government over the violence against antiregime protesters.
Based on RFE/RL and agency reports