Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (left) shaking hands with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (right). Photo: wiki commons.

Ynet/Reuters – Thousands of Syrians waving Russian flags cheered Russia’s foreign minister as he arrived in Damascus Tuesday for talks with embattled President Bashar Assad on the country’s escalating violence.

Russian news agency RIA reported that Lavrov began the talks by saying Moscow wants Arab peoples to live in peace and the Syrian leader is aware of his responsibility.

“Every leader of every country must be aware of his share of responsibility. You are aware of yours,” state-run RIA quoted Lavrov as saying at the meeting with Assad in Damascus.

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