Statement of Minister of Foreign Affairs S.V. Lavrov

Moscow thinks that initiative of L. Brahimi, special representative of UN/the League of Arab States regarding Syria, concerning suspension of hostilities during Muslim Festival of Sacrifice is very important and is said in proper time.

Russia always was and is supporting immediate cessation of every violence in Syria, it doesn't matter where it comes from, and peaceful, without any external interventions, settlement of this bloody crisis which causes suffering of common Syrians.

We encourage Syrian government and all groups of oppositionists to consider proposal of special representative of UN/the League of Arab States and agree on it. We think that that will be the inevitable step to long-term suspension of hostilities and beginning of political process that will assure Syria's democratic renewal in accordance with interests of all citizens of this country.

October 22, 2012