Arab foreign ministers meet Russian counterpart in Cairo Cairo – Akram Ali Arab foreign ministers are scheduled to meet on Saturday in Cairo with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the Syrian crisis and find ways to peaceful solutions. The meeting coincides with the UN -Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan’s visit to Damascus.
The foreign ministers summit, which will take place at the Arab League headquarters, will also be attended by a Jordanian delegation, headed by foreign minister Nasser Judeh.
Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Cairo on Friday evening, and has already had talks with the League’s Secretary General Nabil Al Araby and the special envoy on Syria Kofi Annan.
Russia has refused to back efforts by western powers to adopt a UN resolution that would call for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to allow humanitarian aid into that country and step aside for a transitional government - a proposal backed by the Arab League.
Al Araby said in a press release to the Saudi daily Okaz that the meeting aims to convince Russians to change their view and support the Arab and international efforts to end the Syrian crisis.
Meanwhile, Kuwaiti deputy prime minister, foreign minister and state minister for cabinet affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah arrived in Cairo on Friday heading a delegation to partake in and chair the 137th regular session of the Ministerial Arab League's meeting.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid will also chair the Arab foreign ministers meeting.
For its part, China said on Friday it is sending an envoy to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and France to explain its position on Syria, after Beijing called for an end to the year-long conflict in the Middle East country.
China unveiled a six-point peace plan last Sunday, calling for an immediate end to the bloody violence and for dialogue between the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and the opposition.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Liu Weimin said the visit by assistant foreign minister Zhang Ming would "increase communication and consultations with parties concerned over the political resolution of the Syrian crisis".
It was hoped the talks with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and France would "build up consensus and push for a fair, peaceful and proper solution of the Syrian issue", Liu told a regular briefing.
Syria's foreign minister Walid Muallem said on Wednesday that Damascus was ready to cooperate with Beijing's six-point plan after meeting Chinese envoy Li Huaxin, the country's former ambassador to Damascus.