Saudi-Russian diplomatic dance can’t be to liking of Iran, Syria

[unhappycamper]

http://atimes.com/2015/08/saudi-russian-proximity-cannot-be-to-the-liking-of-iran-syria/

Saudi-Russian diplomatic dance can’t be to liking of Iran, Syria
By M.K. Bhadrakumar on August 6, 2015

At some point, surely, the thought would have crossed the mind of long-time observers of the Russian-American relations that these two great powers could be a match made in heaven. Just when it seemed that all was lost and they could be lurching toward a horrific nuclear war, it turned out that Russia and the United States were actually collaborating to negotiate the Iran nuclear deal.

~snip~

The two big powers are now exploring how far they could work together to bring peace to Syria. Will the Iran success story repeat itself?

The press release issued after the “trilateral” at Doha on Monday between the foreign ministers of Russia, US and Saudi Arabia noted that there was a “detailed and frank discussion on the existing situation in Syria.”

The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the three foreign ministers believed “we will eventually be able to make headway on the settlement of the crisis in Syria, while simultaneously working to achieve progress in launching a political process that would be accepted by all Syrian parties and to establish a powerful front to combat the terrorist threat (read Islamic State) in the Middle East.”

[bemildred]

1. Russia to Host Top Saudi Diplomat as It Pushes Syrian Initiative

Russia will host Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat in Moscow next week as it promotes an initiative aimed at ending the four-year civil war in Syria.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir will meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Tuesday, according to Russia’s Foreign Ministry. The two men held talks together with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry earlier this week in Doha, Qatar.

Russia and Iran, the main backers of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, are stepping up their diplomatic efforts to resolve a conflict that’s killed more than 220,000 people and left about 11 million as refugees or internally displaced. Iran said it will present a four-point peace plan to the United Nations after consultations with Syria and Russia. The Kremlin is pushing for a broad coalition to fight Islamic State, including Iraqi and Syrian government forces, and rejects continuing pressure from the U.S. and its allies for Assad’s ouster.

Russia has invited the main Syrian opposition coalition for talks next week, state news service Sputnik reported, citing the Foreign Ministry in Moscow. A senior member of the coalition, Badr Jamus, told Sputnik it was waiting for confirmation of the exact date and will soon choose the makeup of the delegation.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-08-07/russia-to-host-top-saudi-diplomat-as-it-pushes-syrian-initiative

[bemildred]

2. Saudi FM to visit Russia for Syria talks

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir will visit Moscow on Tuesday to discuss the Syria conflict and the Islamic State group with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign ministry said Saturday.

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The ministers will continue “a discussion on ways to resolve the crisis in Syria,” the Russian foreign ministry said.

Moscow said topics would include the “sharp growth in strength of various extremist groups, primarily the so-called Islamic State”.

“The ministers will discuss the possibility of Russia-Saudi cooperation in fighting terrorism, which is in the interests of both countries,” the ministry said.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/saudi-fm-to-visit-russia-for-syria-talks/