Story highlights
The talks take place on the sidelines of a security conference in Germany
Russia is a longtime ally of Syria; It does not recognize the opposition
The opposition leader also meets with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden
The leader of the Syrian opposition met Saturday with the foreign minister of Russia, a longtime ally of the government that rebels hope to topple.
Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, head of the Syrian National Coalition, met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of an international security conference in Munich, Germany, Russia’s state-run news agency RIA Novosti reported.
It gave no details and al-Khatib and Lavrov did not immediately respond to requests for comments.
The opposition chief also met in Munich with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, who had harsh words for the Syrian leadership.
“President (Barack) Obama and I and nearly all of our partners and allies are convinced that President (Bashar al-) Assad, a tyrant hell-bent on clinging to power, is no longer fit to lead the Syrian people and he must go,” Biden said, according to a transcript of his speech released by the White House.
“The opposition continues to grow stronger. And as the Syrian people have their chance to forge their own future, they will continue to find a partner in the United States of America,” he said.
Russia has criticized Western powers, including the United States, that have recognized the opposition as Syria’s rightful leadership. Russia and China have blocked U.N. Security Council attempts to take action to end the conflict and force al-Assad to step down, stressing that outside powers shouldn’t be picking Syria’s leaders.
In December, Russia invited al-Khatib to peace talks in Moscow or another location. The opposition chief said the group was open to talks, but not in Russia.
He said then that Russia had overlooked atrocities in Syria, and must condemn the crimes before his group can engage in talks.
When the Arab Spring revolts erupted across the region in early 2011, Syrians took to the streets to demonstrate against al-Assad’s rule. The Syrian leader quickly responded with a crackdown by police and the army that exploded into a civil war.
The United Nations says the conflict has now killed more than 60,000 people. The carnage continued Saturday, as at least 101 people were killed, the opposition said.
CNN’s Atika Shubert contributed to this report.
