Russian Foreign Ministry: Military solution to Syrian conflict not working

A military solution to the Syrian conflict is not working and it becomes clear that dialogue is needed between the Syrian government and opposition, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday, RIA Novosti reported.

"The need to start a dialogue becomes more and more clear," he said on Wednesday, opening the first session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum at the ministerial level.

Lavrov said Moscow is contributing to the creation of conditions for dialogue to be launched as soon as possible without preconditions based on the Geneva agreements.

Lavrov also said that Russia "will not allow oblivion of the decision to convene a conference to create a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction. We will work to ensure the implementation of these decisions."

A Communique of Action group for Syria, providing an early end to the violence in Syria and launch of political dialogue was signed at Russia's initiative in Geneva in June 2011.

Anti-government protests have continued in Syria for more than a year and half. According to the UN, the total number of victims of the conflict in Syria exceeds 70,000. More than 850,000 have become refugees with around three million in need of humanitarian assistance. Syrian authorities say they oppose the well-armed militants.