Russian, US diplomats discuss settlement in Syria and fight against terrorism

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and US Special Envoy for Syria Michael Ratney discussed the settlement of the situation in Syria and fight against terrorism in the region, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday after consultations.

"The sides exchanged opinions on a wide range of issues connected with efforts to facilitate the soonest political and diplomatic settlement of the Syrian crisis and tasks of effectively fighting against the terrorist threat," the foreign ministry said.

US Special Envoy for Syria Michael Ratney will visit Saudi Arabia on August 29. After that, he will hold consultations in Geneva with UN Special Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura. Ratney was appointed as US Special Envoy for Syria at the end of July.
 [tass.ru]
28/8/15
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• Assad Resignation Essential for Victory Over ISIL/ISIS (US Department of State)

The resignation of Syria’s President Bashar Assad is "an important part of the fight" against the Islamic State (ISIL) militant organization, the US Department of State said Friday.

The statement came after US Special Envoy for Syria Michael Ratney’s visit to Moscow earlier on Friday for consultations with Russian officials on the ongoing conflict in Syria.

"Assad has proven through his brutal and repressive tactics that he has lost all legitimacy, and he must go as part of a genuine political transition," the statement said.

According to the US Department of State, a political transition in Syria is not only necessary for the good of its nation, but also in order to defeat the extremists operating in the Middle East.

"We are cognizant that Assad’s continued tenure fuels extremism and inflames tensions in the region," the statement continued.

Syria has been engulfed in a civil war since 2011. The country’s government is fighting a number of rebel groups as well as radical militant organizations, including the ISIL terrorists.

Russia believes Syrian President Bashar Assad should form part of a political solution to the ongoing crisis, while the West, including the United States, has called for him to step down.
  (Sputnik)
28/8/15
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• Assad's ouster 'unacceptable' as Syria peace precondition (Sergei Lavrov)