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Russia 'ready for Syria opposition talks' Russia 'ready for Syria opposition talks'
(35 minutes later)
Russia has agreed to hold talks with Syria's opposition leaders, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said.Russia has agreed to hold talks with Syria's opposition leaders, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said.
He said contact with the opposition was made through diplomats in Egypt, and he urged President Bashar al-Assad to also open talks with the rebels.He said contact with the opposition was made through diplomats in Egypt, and he urged President Bashar al-Assad to also open talks with the rebels.
Russia has previously criticised the US for recognising the opposition as a legitimate representative of Syrians.Russia has previously criticised the US for recognising the opposition as a legitimate representative of Syrians.
But Moscow recently conceded for the first time that Mr Assad's government may lose the conflict.But Moscow recently conceded for the first time that Mr Assad's government may lose the conflict.
Speaking at a news conference in Moscow, Mr Lavrov confirmed that his government had contacted the Syrian National Coalition through the Russian Embassy in Egypt.Speaking at a news conference in Moscow, Mr Lavrov confirmed that his government had contacted the Syrian National Coalition through the Russian Embassy in Egypt.
He said Russia had "expressed readiness to conduct a meeting" with opposition leader Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib.He said Russia had "expressed readiness to conduct a meeting" with opposition leader Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib.
'Think of your people''Think of your people'
However this did not mean Russia recognised the opposition, Mr Lavrov said.However this did not mean Russia recognised the opposition, Mr Lavrov said.
Earlier this month, Russia criticised the US for joining other Western nations in formally recognising the Syrian opposition as a legitimate representative of the Syrian people.Earlier this month, Russia criticised the US for joining other Western nations in formally recognising the Syrian opposition as a legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
"We are consistently working with the regime and all the opposition groups without exception," Mr Lavrov said."We are consistently working with the regime and all the opposition groups without exception," Mr Lavrov said.
"We are telling them the same thing: 'You have to think of your people, of your country. You should agree on a ceasefire. Sit down at the negotiating table.'""We are telling them the same thing: 'You have to think of your people, of your country. You should agree on a ceasefire. Sit down at the negotiating table.'"
Mr Lavrov said his government had held talks with Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Maqdad on Thursday, and had urged him to arrange a meeting with the opposition.Mr Lavrov said his government had held talks with Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Maqdad on Thursday, and had urged him to arrange a meeting with the opposition.
But Mr Lavrov said Russia still refused to back international calls for Mr Assad to step down.But Mr Lavrov said Russia still refused to back international calls for Mr Assad to step down.
"The international community must not incite either side toward violence or pose preliminary conditions," he said."The international community must not incite either side toward violence or pose preliminary conditions," he said.
Mediators will welcome the fact that Moscow is getting quite heavily involved, the BBC's James Reynolds reports.
As President Assad's principal, most powerful international supporter, Russia is a key player in finding a diplomatic solution.
But holding talks and reaching as well as implementing an agreement on the ground are separate things, our correspondent adds.
Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov had earlier said Syrian forces were "losing more and more control and territory".Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov had earlier said Syrian forces were "losing more and more control and territory".
It was the first time a Russian official had said a defeat of Mr Assad's government could not be ruled out.It was the first time a Russian official had said a defeat of Mr Assad's government could not be ruled out.
Russia has been one of Mr Assad's staunchest allies in the 21-month conflict between government forces and rebel fighters.Russia has been one of Mr Assad's staunchest allies in the 21-month conflict between government forces and rebel fighters.
Along with China, it has used its veto at the UN Security Council to block resolutions condemning the Syrian government's use of violence.Along with China, it has used its veto at the UN Security Council to block resolutions condemning the Syrian government's use of violence.
Opposition groups say more than 44,000 people have so far been killed.Opposition groups say more than 44,000 people have so far been killed.