Militants Who Refuse to Leave Aleppo Will Be Eliminated - Lavrov

© REUTERS / Omar SanadikiSmoke rises after strikes on Aleppo, Syria December 5, 2016.
Smoke rises after strikes on Aleppo, Syria December 5, 2016. - Sputnik International
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that militants who refuse to leave Syria's Aleppo under the US-Russia deal will be eliminated.

"Any way, if somebody refuses to leave [Aleppo] on good terms, he will be eliminated as I understand. There is no other way out," Lavrov said.

This still image from Syrian state TV video, shows young men with their faces covered surrendering to government forces, in Aleppo, Syria, Saturday, July 30, 2016 - Sputnik International
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The Russian foreign minister said that the Russia-US agreement on the withdrawal of militants from Aleppo has not been formalized yet.

"Firstly, the fact that the militants have refused says nothing as there's nothing they can refuse yet. The Russia-US agreement has not been formalized yet."

Lavrov said that the US withdrew its proposals on Aleppo and promised to make new ones.

"Suddenly, last night we receive from them [the United States] a message that they, unfortunately, will not be able to meet tomorrow [on Wednesday in Geneva], because they changed their minds, their document was withdrawn and now they have a new document, which… changes everything back, and again looks like an attempt to buy time in order to let militants replenish supplies and take a breath."

Washington has notified Russia that consultations on Aleppo cannot begin Wednesday.

The current US administration fails to hold "serious talks" on Aleppo.

"We have an understanding that having a serious conversation with our American partners does not work. The same thing happened with our agreements with Kerry on September 9, that have already been reached and came into force, and then the United States began to look for excuses to abandon it, and eventually found a pretext, and have announced that they are out of these agreements. Now we see a very similar situation: what was proposed by the Americans on the paper, and what has been publicly supported by us now is not suitable. It is difficult to understand who decides there [in Washington], but apparently, there are many people who want to undermine the credibility and actions of John Kerry."

Destruction is seen in Aleppo's Bustan al-Basha neighbourhood on November 28, 2016, during Syrian pro-government forces assault to retake the entire northern city from rebel fighters. - Sputnik International
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On Monday, Lavrov said that rebels who refuse to leave eastern Aleppo will be equated to terrorists.

On December 3, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow was ready to send experts to Geneva as soon as possible to agree with US colleagues on joint actions which will allow all militants without exception to leave eastern Aleppo, and allow non-interrupted humanitarian deliveries.

Over recent months, Aleppo became major battleground in Syria, engaging government forces, jihadists, and numerous opposition groups. Eastern Aleppo is currently encircled by government troops, and the fighting has affected thousands of civilians still trapped in the city.

Previous internationally mediated ceasefires have collapsed as militants continued attacks and opposition failed to expel al-Nusra Front, which is now known as Jabhat Fatah al Sham and outlawed in Russia, from the city.

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