Moscow, March 16 (RHC)-- Russia will not join the new group 'Friends of Syria' because they only talk to one side of the conflict -- the opposition.  The Special Representative of the President of Russia for Middle East Issues and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told reporters in Moscow that declarations from other countries about al-Assad's illegitimacy and calls for him to step down "are counterproductive because they send the opposition a false signal that there is no sense in entering dialogue."

Bogdanov criticised nations that have closed embassies or cut diplomatic ties with Syria, saying the authorities are one of the sides in the conflict and "maintaining links and contacts with them is an absolutely necessary condition" for seeking a solution.

He reiterated Russia's calls for an immediate end to violence by government forces and their opponents, a monitoring mechanism to ensure no side used a ceasefire to its own advantage.  The Russian deputy foreign minister also called for a dialogue between the government and opponents with no preconditions or "predetermined outcomes" such as al-Assad's exit from power.

Mikhail Bogdanov said: "The Syrian people should determine who will lead their country and so the opinion of some of our foreign partners will hardly foster a solution."

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