Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has called for an immediate and lasting humanitarian ceasefire in Syria in a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart.
The conversation was the second between Zarif and Sergei Lavrov over the past 48 hours, coming in the wake of a fresh international push to end the conflict.
Officials said US Secretary of State John Kerry wouldmeet Lavrov in Switzerland on Saturday to discuss Syria.The meeting was expected to include foreign ministers from Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Zarif earlier held phone talks with EU foreign policy chief FedericaMogherini, stressing Irans principled position on the all-out fight against terrorism and terrorist groups and finding an inclusive political solution to the Syria conflict.
Meanwhile,Lavrov contacted his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayraultto discuss fresh efforts for putting an end to the conflict.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="555"]
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) and his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault enter a hall during a meeting in Moscow, Oct. 6, 2016. (Photo by AFP)[/caption]A ceasefireexpired on September 19 after being in place for only a week.Damascus refused to extend it after USairstrikes killed 83Syrian soldiers at a military base in Dayr al-Zawr.
Russia later criticized the US for not doing enough to rein in militants, saying continued violations of the ceasefire made it senseless for Syriato stick to the agreement.
The foreign-sponsored conflict in Syria, which startedin March 2011, has claimed the lives ofmore than 400,000 people, according to a UN estimate.
On Thursday, SyrianPresident Bashar al-Assad saidhehoped Russiacould persuade Turkey into changingits stance following recentrapprochement between Moscow and Ankara.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Russia's Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper, Assad referred to the issue as his country's only hope.
Assad further said there is strong proof that Israel is supportingTakfiri groups inside Syria, and has close relations with them.
Ankara and Moscowput an end to seven months ofstrained relations in Junewhen President Recep Tayyip Erdogan apologized overTurkey's downing of a Russian aircraftin Syria.
Turkey is supporting militants fighting to topple President Assad and is accused of supporting Takfiri terrorists and buying smuggled oil from them.
Turkish troops are currently deployed into northern Syria following a military incursion with the help of the so-called Free Syrian Army.
By Press TV
