Islam Times - Russian ambassador to Lebanon calls for political solution in Syria

Islam Times - The Russian ambassador to Lebanon has called for the start of a political process to establish peace in Syria.

Alexander Zasypkin made the remarks at a meeting with a delegation of Lebanese political and civil society leaders in Beirut on Monday.

He said a political solution is needed to restore stability in the country, adding, "Foreign sides should halt supporting and financing armed groups that are sabotaging Syria, as a prelude to the start of the internal political process."

A political solution “meets at the same time the aspirations of the Syrian people for prosperity and the progress away from violence,” Zasypkin added.

Russian officials have consistently said that any decision on ending the crisis in Syria should be made by Syrians themselves and all parties should be included in the process.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March 2011.

Many people, including large numbers of security personnel, have been killed in the violence, and several international human rights organizations say the insurgents have committed war crimes.

The Syrian government says that the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the armed militants are foreign nationals.

Damascus also says the insurgents are supported by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.