Middle Orient

Russian FM Sergey Lavrov calls for Syrian government and opposition to work together against extremists in the country during a meeting with Syrian Deputy PM Qadri Jamil in Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov issued a new call on July 22 for the Syrian government and opposition

Egypt said on Monday, July 22 it would cancel visa fees for Syrians, the latest effort to ease diplomatic tensions between the two Arab states after the army ousted President Mohamed Morsithis month.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu urged the international community, first and foremost the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), to move into action for Syria.

The High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Angela Kane and the Head of the UN Mission to investigate the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria Ake Sellstrom will travel to Damascus next week at the invitation of the Syrian Government, UN Spokesman Martin Nesirky said. 

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu held a briefing in Ankara on Thursday with Turkish ambassadors to Middle Eastern countries on the latest developments in the politically fragile region.

Britain’s parliament backed a motion on Thursday, July 11 requiring Prime Minister David Cameron to give it a veto over any future move to arm Syrian rebels, in a symbolic vote the government said it would heed.

UN head Ban Ki-Moon called on all parties in the war to observe a truce during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Ban called on all Syrian parties to observe a truce during Ramadan.

Interim Prime Minister of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces Ghassan Hitto announced his resignation on Monday, nearly four months after his appointment.

Rosemary DiCarlo, Acting Permanent Representative of the US who took over as chair of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the month, has stated that they would endeavour for finding a solution to Syria issue at the UNSC.

A proposed peace conference on Syria will likely not happen until at least September, Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday, July 2, after meeting here with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Kerry spoke privately with Lavrov for nearly