Russian foreign minister to hold Syria talks

[February 15, 2012]  WASSENAAR, Netherlands (AP) -- Russia's foreign minister says he will meet his French counterpart in Vienna on Thursday and discuss a plan to rework a U.N. Security Council resolution that aims to end violence in Syria.

Sergey Lavrov said Wednesday he could not comment on the French plan without having seen the language of the proposed resolution.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said earlier Wednesday that his country is trying to rework the resolution -- with a focus on overcoming Russian resistance.

After a meeting with Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal, Lavrov said Russia would not support any U.N. resolution "that could legitimize regime change."

He also welcomed the announcement by embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad that he had ordered a Feb. 26 referendum on a new constitution that would open the way to political parties other than the ruling Baath Party.

"A new constitution to end one-party rule in Syria is a step forward," Lavrov said. "It is coming late unfortunately but better late than never."

Speaking on France-Info radio, Juppe also reiterated France's hope that the council will reconsider creation of "humanitarian corridors" that would allow aid groups to reach Syrian areas that are facing "absolutely scandalous massacres."

Juppe said a planned U.N. General Assembly vote Thursday on Syria's bloodshed could have symbolic importance.

Russia and China both vetoed a Security Council resolution brought by the Arab League earlier this month aimed at halting Syria's violence -- moves that angered many Western powers and Arab states.

Lavrov said if a new resolution was aimed at ending violence, "everything is possible."

However, he underscored Russia's position that any demand on the Assad regime to withdraw forces from cities torn apart by fierce battles must be matched by demands for opposition fighters to do the same.

"We all must act in sync and lean on all Syrian parties to stop fighting and to sit down and negotiate," Lavrov told reporters at a castle in this wealthy village outside The Hague.

[Associated Press; By MIKE CORDER]

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