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SUMMARY: Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov on Friday said that Russia, the U.S. and the United Nations could meet as early as November to discuss preparations for the Geneva II peace conference.

“As regards a date, we are prepared to be flexible and participate when all the other members come to an agreement on that matter. Perhaps it will be in early November,” Gatilov told reporters in Moscow.

The Deputy Foreign Minister added that a date for a meeting between representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry, their American counterparts, and the UN had not been formally set.

Gatilov’s comments also come after a Thursday meeting in Moscow between the Special Envoy of the Russian President to the Middle East, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, and Syrian deputy Prime Minister, Qadri Jamil.

Syrian State media were quick to report that the meeting had been “fruitful” and that the Geneva II conference was “expected” to take place on November 23-24 — an assertion that was bizarre, at best, given that the conference requires the agreement to participation of the Syrian National Coalition. The Coalition has made it clear that it will not attend unless Syrian President Bashar Al Assad is asked to step down.

Gatilov’s comments are a continuation of Moscow’s strategy to appear to take the lead on Geneva II — a notion that, in reality, is little more than a diversion — albeit a reasonably successful one — that aims to draw attention away from the ongoing conflict and worsening humanitarian situation in Syria, and to give the impression that the Assad regime and its allies are willing to discuss the future of the country, on their terms.


Latest Updates, Most Recent First

Islamic State of Iraq Kidnaps Media Activist in Raqqa, Closes Radio Station

The Activists News Association reports that Rami Al Razzouk, overseeingf Radio ANA in Raqqa, was kidnapped by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

ISIS broke into the ANA media office, closing it and confiscating radio broadcast equipment.

Friday Protests: Anti-Regime March in Al-Bab in Aleppo Province

And another rally in Aleppo:

Friday Protests: Save Moadamiyyah And South Damascus

Children in the besieged West Ghouta town of Moadamiyyat Ash Sham — the site of one of the August 21 chemical weapons attacks — taking part in a protest on Friday, titled “Save Moadamiyyah and South Damascus”.

More coverage of the humanitarian crisis in Moadamiyyat Ash Sham:

Syria Spotlight: Moadamiyyat Ash Sham Civilians Concerned For Welfare Of Evacuees

Syria Spotlight: Opposition Claims Assad Using Civilians As Human Shields