Russia calls West to drop Assad demands to unite against IS
Russia, which views Syria as its closest Middle East ally, has long been at odds with the West over Assad`s future with Moscow saying only the Syrian people should decide if he steps down. The United States and others want Assad to step aside during or at the end of a transition period.
"I hope the change in the position of our Western colleagues -- which has unfortunately only come about as the result of terrible acts of terror -- will spread to other Western partners. That the stance that the real battle with Islamic State can only be resolved once the fate of Assad is clear, that this position will put to one side," said Lavrov.
"In my opinion there can now be no doubts that it is simply unacceptable to put forward any preconditions in order to unite in the battle against so-called Islamic State terrorists."