Lavrov calls for efforts to prevent terrorists from getting power in Syria

The meeting in Vienna was required to establish accord between countries interested in settling the conflict in Syria, the Russian Foreign Minister says.

Participants in the Syrian settlement talks are committed to do their best to prevent terrorists from taking power in Syria, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday after the multilateral talks in Vienna.

"[US Secretary of State] John Kerry said much about the Syrian development, about the suffering of the Syrian people, about how much blood has been shed there and how many people have been driven out of their homes," he said. "We want to stop this situation and prevent terrorists from getting power in the country."

According to Lavrov, the meeting in Vienna was required to establish accord between countries interested in settling the conflict in Syria.

"This meeting was necessary to establish accord between us," he said. "Besides, we do not yet see a representative delegation of the opposition."

In Lavrov's words, participants in the Vienna talks on the Syrian settlement are asking the United Nations to organize a meeting between representatives of the Syrian government and the opposition to launch political process.

"One of the most important agreements reached today is that the participants in the meeting ask the United Nations to organize a meeting between representatives of the Syrian government and the opposition to kick off political process," he told a news conference.

Elections in Syria should be held under control of the United Nations and involve all Syrian citizens, Russian Foreign Minister went on to say.

"We have agreed that elections in Syria are to be held with active participation and control by the United Nations, and that all Syrian citizens, including refugees in neighboring state, should take part in these elections," he said at a news conference.