Russia's Lavrov condemns West's position on Syria

Moscow: Russia's foreign minister has described the stance of Western nations on how to stop violence in Syria as "a political provocation".

Sergey Lavrov lashed out at "Western capitals," claiming they are urging the Syrian opposition to refrain from negotiating with President Bashar Assad and Syrian authorities.

Violence in Syria will not cease if the parties don't get together, he said.

Lavrov's comments were carried by Russian news agencies.

Russia has been seen as a backer of Assad's regime although Lavrov met with Syrian opposition leaders in Moscow last week.

He urged them to sit down and talk with Syrian authorities. But they say they will not talk to Assad and his family, whom they blame for the violent crackdown on dissent in the country.