LONDON (Sputnik) – The United Kingdom, Germany and France see the need in reviving the diplomatic process on settling the conflict in Syria, British Prime Minister David Cameron said Monday.
"I convened a meeting with [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel and [French President Francois] Hollande. We agreed the importance of a renewed diplomatic effort to revive the political process and to reach a lasting settlement in Syria," Cameron said.
Addressing lawmakers on the European Council in Brussels held last Thursday, Cameron said he had presented "facts" about Russia’s airstrikes against Islamic State jihadist group in Syria.
Cameron reiterated Western calls for the removal of Syrian President Bashar Assad from power, quoting the conclusion reached at the European Council that "there cannot be lasting peace in Syria under the present leadership."
Russia launched anti-ISIL airstrikes in Syria on September 30, at the request of the Syrian leader. To date and more than 700 air campaigns later, over 40 percent of the terrorist organization’s equipment and infrastructure have been reported destroyed.
Moscow has repeatedly called for the resumption of political dialogue with Assad's participation to settle the Syrian conflict. Russia has expressed willingness to speak with the entire Syrian opposition, including the Free Syrian Army, considered moderate by the West.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has expressed disappointment with Western countries over their lack of willingness to cooperate with Russia.
