Moscow Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has told the UN and Arab League envoy to Syria that his mission "may be the last chance for Syria to avoid a protracted bloody civil war."
Medvedev also told Kofi Annan that he has Russia's full support. Annan said that "Syria has an opportunity today to work with me and this mediation process to put an end to the conflict, to the fighting, allow access to those in need of humanitarian assistance as well as embark on a political process" that would lead to a peaceful settlement.
"We will be offering you our full support at any level in which we have a say," said Mededev.
"We very much hope that your efforts have a positive outcome."
Annan said he needed Russia's strong backing to succeed in ending a year of bloodshed that the opposition says has claimed more than 9,100 lives.
Russian news agencies quoted Annan as saying he expected Russia to play an "active" role in making sure that both sides follow the points of the UN Security Council-backed Syria peace plan.
Neither Annan nor Medvedev made any specific reference to Syrian President Bashar Al Assad or the opposition's demands on his immediate ouster.
Annan preceded his talks with Medvedev with a private meeting with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that Russian officials said agreed on the need for "further efforts" by world and regional powers to resolve the crisis.
"Both sides underscored the importance of working with both the government and the opposition," Interfax quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov as saying.
Russia had said in advance of Annan's visit that it wanted the West to apply stronger pressure on the opposition forces to lay down their arms.
Moscow has also been playing down the influence it has over its Arab world ally and this month accused Al Assad of refusing to listen to Russia's suggestions on resolving the crisis.
Annan was in Moscow on Sunday for meetings with Russia's president and foreign minister. He now travels to China, which along with Russia has shielded Syrian leader Bashar Al Assad from United Nations' sanctions.
Syria is Moscow's last remaining ally in the Middle East and is a major customer for Russia's arms industry, but Russia has recently shown impatience with Al Assad.
