Russian FM Sergei Lavrov has called for a solution based on the plan put forward by the Arab League.

[tabatha]

Visiting Syria, Mr Lavrov said Damascus was ready for a larger Arab League mission to monitor the plan, which the West has urged Syria to accept.

Moscow has said the draft – which backed an Arab League peace plan calling for President Assad to hand over power – would have forced regime change on Syria.

Mr Lavrov’s office said he was heading to Damascus because Moscow sought “the swiftest stabilisation of the situation in Syria”.

US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland urged Mr Lavrov to “use this opportunity to make absolutely clear to the Assad regime how isolated it is and to encourage Assad and his people to make use of the Arab League plan and provide for a transition”.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16920922

[SidDithers]

1. This is good, isn't it?...

Russia is backing the Arab League plan that urges Assad to step aside is better than Russia trying to prop up Assad, right?

Sid

[tabatha]

2. I think that is a smart move.

And it will earn Russia brownie points in the Arab world, which it was losing.