Moscow: Russia`s foreign minister has warned that the implementation of Kofi Annan`s cease-fire plan for Syria can only be assessed by the United Nations.
Sergey Lavrov warned Wednesday that groups such as the Friends of Syria should have no say in evaluating the plan`s performance.
Syrian forces have continued shelling opposition strongholds despite a pledge by Syrian President Bashar Assad`s regime to respect a week-old cease-fire and withdraw troops from urban centers in line with Annan`s plan.
Lavrov accused the Syrian opposition forces of provoking the government`s backlash in order to thwart the cease-fire plan. He urged all nations that have leverage with the opposition to force it to abide by cease-fire.
Russia, along with China, has twice shielded its ally Syria from UN sanctions.
Bureau Report
