Russia: Assad foes must come to Syria meeting without conditions

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday that it is crucial for Syrian opposition representatives to take part in a peace conference without setting any preconditions, apparently referring to demands for President Bashar al-Assad's exit.

Lavrov also reiterated that Iran must be among nations invited to the conference that Russia and the United States are trying to organise to seek a resolution to the more than two-year-old conflict that has killed at least 80,000 people.

Meanwhile, Qatari Prince, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani slammed the "inaction" of countries related to the international community in regards to the exacerbating humanitarian tragedy in Syria, adding that "they aim, at the same time, to determine the identity of the supporters of the Syrian people under many pretexts".

On the Field:

Fierce street fighting in a Syrian town near the Lebanese border has killed at least 28 elite members of Lebanon's Hezbollah, activists said Monday, as Syrian government forces pushed deeper into the strategic, opposition-held town.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which tracks the country's civil war, said that in addition to the deaths more than 100 Hezbollah members have been wounded in the fighting around the town of Qussair. If confirmed, the casualties would be a significant blow to the Shiite group, which has come under harsh criticism at home in Lebanon for its involvement in Syria's civil war.

A staunch ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Hezbollah is heavily invested in the survival of the Damascus regime and is known to have sent fighters to aid government forces.

The Observatory, which relies on a wide network of activists in the ground in Syria, cited "sources close to Hezbollah" for the death toll but declined to reveal their identity. It said at least 50 Syrian rebels were also killed in the battle for Qussair on Sunday, including two opposition commanders.


Refugees:

This as a spokeswoman of the Israeli army said on Monday that Syrian gunfire hit the Israel-occupied Golan Heights on Sunday overnight without causing any injuries or damages.

On another note, an international aid organization is appealing for more funds to help Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan, saying warmer weather will increase health risks due to lack of shelter, water and basic sanitation.

Oxfam said it needs $53 million dollars to improve access to water and proper sanitation for Syrian refugees. So far the aid group has received $10.6 million dollars.

The Britain-based group said in a statement Monday that diarrhea and skin infections have already been noted among refugees in Jordan and Lebanon. The two countries host the bulk of 1.5 million Syrians who have fled the civil war at home, seeking shelter in neighboring countries.

Oxfam said it needs the funds quickly as temperatures are expected to soar in the region in the coming weeks.


AP/LBCI/REUTERS