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Beside Netanyahu, Putin Warns Against Aggravating Syria Crisis

May 14, 2013

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned after a meeting with Israel's prime minister against any move that would "aggravate" the situation in Syria.

The remark appeared intended as a warning against foreign military intervention or arming the rebels fighting against forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, a Russian ally.

Putin was speaking after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

The comment follows Israeli air strikes against government targets in Syria a week ago.

Netanyahu was expected to raise concerns about Moscow’s reported plans to deliver advanced S-300 antimissile batteries to the Assad government.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has said such a sale would be "potentially destabilizing."

Netanyahu’s visit comes amid new diplomatic pushes to discuss the Syrian crisis with Moscow.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon plans to travel to Russia later this week.

'Friends Of Syria' To Convene

Jordan has meanwhile announced that the Friends of Syria group opposing Assad will meet next week in Amman to coordinate positions ahead of a possible peace conference proposed by the United States and Russia.

Jordan's Foreign Ministry said on May 14 that the meeting will include foreign ministers from the United States, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Britain, France, Germany, and Italy.

Earlier in the day in Stockholm, Kerry warned that Syrian rebels would receive additional assistance if Syrian government representatives would not attend a peace conference.

Syria's information minister said on May 14 that his government's participation "depends on knowing the details."

Based on reporting by the "Jerusalem Post," ITAR-TASS, Reuters, and AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/israel-russia-syria-missiles/24985149.html

Copyright (c) 2013. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.