Syria conflict: Russia lays out its stance to UN

Efforts are continuing to arrange an international conference on Syria.

The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met Mr Lavrov in Sochi on Friday to discuss the plans for the conference, which would aim to bring together the Syrian opposition and members of President Bashar al-Assad's government.

At a news briefing, Mr Ban said it was important to "not lose momentum" on the drive towards holding a peace conference and dates for it were being "actively discussed".

Mr Lavrov said the way the conflict is resolved "will largely determine not just the fate of Syria and the region itself, but also the global community's future vector when it comes to responding to crises".

Steve Rosenberg reports from Moscow.