Russia/Syria: Saudi minister tells Lavrov Riyadh rejects any anti-IS coalition with Assad
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 11 August 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia/Syria: Saudi minister tells Lavrov Riyadh rejects any anti-IS coalition with Assad, 11 August 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/55ee96981b.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 11, 2015
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir has told the Kremlin that Riyadh will not join any coalition against Islamic State (IS) militants if the coalition includes Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Jubeir made the remarks during talks in Moscow on August 11 with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
He said Riyadh's position on the conflict in Syria has not changed and that there was no place for Assad in the future of Syria.
Russia is a long-standing ally of Assad and rejects calls for Assad to step down.
Russian and Iran, Saudi Arabia's rival in the Middle East, are both trying to form an international coalition through the United Nations that includes Assad's regime.
Lavrov said he and Jubeir agreed on August 11 to "practical steps" aimed at preparing "the most optimal conditions" for resuming a UN-brokered dialogue between the Syrian government and "the entire Syrian opposition."
Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, TASS, and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
