Russia said on Friday that Syria was ready to take a series of humanitarian steps that would lead to the quicker delivery of assistance to those suffering from the civil war.
“We note the Syrian government’s readiness that was confirmed today by the minister… to our request to take a series of humanitarian steps,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a press conference following talks with his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem.
Syrian FM Muallem said Damascus is prepared to exchange prisoners with the rebel camp and would take swift steps towards doing so.
“I informed Lavrov of our principled position in favour of an agreement to exchange those held in Syrian prisons for those taken by the other side,” Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said.
“We are ready to exchange lists and develop the necessary mechanism for accomplishing these goals,” he added.
The foreign minister also reaffirmed their adherence to the coordinated timeframe of Syrian chemical weapons’ exportation.
“We have agreed today – and we confirm this once again – to observe the approved approximate deadlines of the accomplishment of this task, naturally, with appropriate security measures and resolution of all logistical problems,” Lavrov said.
