France, Russia Acknowledge ‘Differences’ over Syria
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius met with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in Moscow on Tuesday where the two conceded their differences on Syria but stressed the importance of moving forward with diplomatic efforts.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius met with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Tuesday, where the pair acknowledged their differences on Syria but stressed the importance of moving forward with a UN resolution to place the country’s stockpiles of chemical weapons under international control.
The talks came one day after the United Nations released a highly anticipated report confirming that the deadly nerve agent sarin gas had been used in an attack outside of Syria’s capital Damascus on August 21, France24 reported.
Although the report did not assign blame, France, Britain and United States quickly seized upon it, saying there was little question Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces were responsible for the onslaught.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Lavrov following their meeting, Fabius reiterated his country’s stance on the issue.
“When you look at the amount of sarin gas used, the vectors, the techniques behind such an attack, as well as other aspects, it seems to leave no doubt that the (Assad) regime is behind it,” Fabius said.
Lavrov, however, gave a different version of events, saying Russia had “very serious grounds” to believe rebel forces in Syria were responsible for the attack. He also said that the UN report had left many questions unanswered.
Despite their differences, the two countries emphasised their shared commitment to a diplomatic solution in Syria.
“We have certain differences on how to reach this [aim],” Fabius said, adding that there was a “difference in the approach on the methods”.
