MOSCOW // The Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov urged his Syrian counterpart to be "more decisive" in curtailing violence in the war-torn country in what amounts to increasing pressure from Russia on the Bashar Al Assad regime.
"Frankly speaking, we gave our assessment of the situation to our Syrian colleagues," Mr Lavrov said yesterday at a joint press conference in Moscow with the visiting Syrian foreign minister Walid Mouaellem, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported. "We think that they could be taking more action and being more decisive in the way they carry out the plan's proposals."
Mr Mouallem was in Moscow to secure Russian support for Syria in the midst of a fragile UN-brokered ceasefire. According to Russian media reports, Mr Mouallem assured his counterpart that the Syrian authorities were working to implement the special envoy Kofi Annan's peace plan.
"I told my Russian colleague of the steps Syria is taking to show its goodwill for the implementation of the Annan plan," Mr Mouallem said after his meeting with Mr Lavrov. "We have already withdrawn military units from different Syrian provinces."
Mr Lavrov said Russia would send observers to the region in line with the UN request.
Russia has somewhat tempered its support for Mr Al Assad during recent weeks amid escalating violence and increasing international pressure on both sides to curb the fighting. Once a key Syria ally, Russia has begun actively urging the authorities, along with opposition forces, to work toward a stable peace.
Russian cooperation began with the March 21 unanimous passing by the UN Security Council of Mr Annan's plan. Earlier, both Russia and China had vetoed resolutions on Syria over what they perceived to be western efforts at international intervention.
Experts have said Russia's reluctance to sponsor western actions against the Al Assad regime was rooted in its opposition to forced regime change there after Nato action in Libya last year led to the downfall of the key Russia ally Muammar Qaddafi.
Yet experts also warned that Russia's current position on Syria, though edging towards a sterner line, still does not mean complete acquiescence to western demands.
According to Yevgeny Satanovsky, the president of the independent Moscow-based Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Russia's position has always been focused on the potential dangers posed by opposition forces should they prevail.
"Russia will still stay on its point together with China and other supporters of more balanced relations between opposing groups - terrorist groups, really - and the Assad regime," he said.
Representatives of the Syrian opposition are expected to visit Moscow next week, though Mr Satanovksy predicts the meeting, if it goes through, will produce little, citing the Kremlin's deep suspicion of the anti-Assad forces.
foreign.desk@thenational.ae
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
The%20specs
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less