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Acting on the President’s instructions as his personal envoy, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov visited Damascus on August 29, where he was received by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, to whom he delivered a message from Mr Medvedev.

During the discussion that took place on the situation in Syria, Russia’s main emphasis was on the need for all sides to cease all violence immediately and take urgent concrete steps to implement the reforms announced by Syria’s leadership. Russia also stressed that the opposition should accept to take part in the dialogue the authorities propose, as this is the only possible way of restoring civil peace and harmony and setting Syria on a steady path towards democratic transformation.