Shaaban: Russia and Syria’s concerns identical

Syrian presidential advisor Buthaina Shaaban told “As-Safir” newspaper that a meeting will be held between the Syrian foreign minister Walid Moallem and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in New York to discuss Syrian-Russian coordination, on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly’s meetings. “My visit to Moscow was very useful”, she said.

“Moscow did not suggest being a mediator in the Syrian crisis”, Shaaban said, adding that she is well aware of the depth and dimensions of the crisis.

The presidential advisor noted that the two opposition delegations that visited Russia submitted lists of participants, including their confessions and the names of some tribal representatives. Shaaban said, “In my opinion, this explains the opposition’s orientation and complies with Israel and the U.S.’s real intentions behind the establishment of Shiite, Sunnite, Alawite and Kurdish states in the name of democracy to justify the Jewish state”.

Shaaban added that Damascus sent an invitation to the Russian senate headed by the deputy Chairman of the International Relations Committee who is expected to meet with Assad and tour the Syrian provinces.