So-Called 'Friends of Syria' Group not Friend of Majority of Syrians

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said "Moscow sees that most of the Syrian people do not consider the 'friends of Syria' group as a genuine friend of them and don't see it positively." In a comment posted on his Twitter page on Tuesday, Gatilov added that the protests held by many Syrians near the location where the ‘Friends of Syria’ meeting was held in Istanbul and which have been dispersed, show that many Syrians don't consider this group as a friend of them. Gatilov urged all concerned parties to actively support the mission of the UN envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan. Bogdanov Welcomes Syrian Decision to Withdraw Troops and Heavy Weapons from Syrian Cities before April 10th " The Russian President's Special Representative for Middle East Affairs, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov welcomes Syria's decision to take the first step and withdraw troops and heavy weapons from the Syrian cities and villages before April 10th," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The statement added that Bogdanov reviewed with the Syrian Ambassador in Moscow Riyad Haddad the development of the situation in Syria and the efforts exerted by the Syrian leadership to solve the crisis in the country. "Ambassador Haddad stressed that Damascus has started fulfilling its obligations under the plan suggested by the UN special envoy Kofi Annan," the statement said. The statement added that stress was laid on the need for positive steps by the Syrian opposition and its armed groups, including clear expression of support to the Kofi Annan plan and practical steps towards its implementation.