On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus. Russian delegation was greeted by thousands of government supporters. 

      On Tuesday, February 7, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Damascus for talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad. That meeting was intended to indicate that Russia wants to by its strongest ally in the Middle East amid an international outcry over the country's response to a civil revolt.

      Mr. Lavrov’s delegation was greeted by thousands of cheering government supporters in Damascus who lined the streets. Syrian television showed some people carrying pictures of Mr. Assad and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of Russia. Others held banners thanking Russia and China for their veto. Syrian state television declared that 1 million people came out to greet Lavrov.

      Following the talks Mr. Lavrov said Bashar al-Assad was ready for dialogue with all political forces in the country and that he would declare a date in the near future for a referendum on a new constitution for his country.

      On Saturday, Russia and China blocked a UN Security Council resolution calling for increased pressure on Assad. That decision was criticized by the USA, Great Britain, Germany, France and other countries, which supported the resolution.  

Sources: ng.ru inotv Images: ng.ru

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