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Moscow also slammed the pressure wrought on the UN to rescind the invite to Iran to participate in the Syria peace talks.
Lavrov said that UN chief Ban Ki-moon’s decision to cancel Iran’s invitation to Geneva was a mistake and this exclusion was “pushed by those who want Assad out”.
“Of course it is a mistake, but no catastrophe has taken place,” Lavrov said.
The UN rescinded an invitation for Iran, following pressure from the US and Syrian opposition groups.
The Foreign Minister also claimed Moscow prioritizes bringing the Syrian government and the opposition “together in the fight against jihadist groups”.
“Russia holds that the external forces’ attempts at “social engineering” are detrimental, will not ensure peace and national accord,” said Lavrov.
Lavrov was addressing an annual press conference in Moscow on Tuesday which is a traditional meeting to review Russia’s foreign policy results of the past year.
Russia would work with Iran, as well as its partners in the P5+1 group (the United States, France, Britain, China and Russia plus Germany), to find a “final, comprehensive” solution, said Lavrov.
Russia has also raised grave concerns over the political crisis in Ukraine that he said may be spinning out of control.
Lavrov criticized the violent protests which included “attacks on police, arson, Molotov cocktails and explosive devices”, characterizing their actions as a”complete violation of all European standards of behavior.”
TBP and Agencies