This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21306648

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Syria opposition chief meets Russian foreign minister Syria opposition chief invited to Moscow
(about 4 hours later)
The head of the main Syrian opposition alliance has held his first direct talks with senior Russian officials. The head of Syria's main opposition coalition has been invited to Moscow after having his first direct talks with Russia's foreign minister.
The meeting between Moaz al-Khatib of the National Coalition and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov took place on the sidelines of an international security conference in Munich. Sergei Lavrov and Moaz al-Khatib, who leads Syrian National Coalition, met on the sidelines of an international security conference in Munich.
Moscow is a long-time ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.Moscow is a long-time ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Later, Mr Lavrov is due to attend talks with US Vice-President Joe Biden and UN special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi. Later, Mr Lavrov met US Vice-President Joe Biden and UN special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi.
The crisis in Syria urgently requires agreement between Russia and the United States if any UN-backed diplomatic initiative is to make headway, reports the BBC's Jonathan Marcus in Munich. The US and Russia are not yet on the same page in terms of forging a UN Security Council resolution to chart a political way out of the crisis in Syria.
But the meeting between Sergei Lavrov and Moaz al-Khatib is a rare sign of diplomatic progress.
The Russian move to engage with Mr Khatib sends a strong signal to Damascus. Russia is still not willing to see President Bashar al-Assad forced aside. But equally Moscow's patience with the Syrian leader is wearing thin.
Mr Biden told the conference it was "no secret" that Moscow and Washington had "serious differences" on issues such as Syria.
But he added: "We can all agree... on the increasingly desperate plight of the Syrian people and the responsibility of the international community to address that plight."
After meeting Mr Lavrov, Mr Khatib said: "Russia has a certain vision but we welcome negotiations to alleviate the crisis. There are lots of details that need to be discussed."
The crisis in Syria urgently requires agreement between Russia and the United States if any UN-backed diplomatic initiative is to make headway, says the BBC's Jonathan Marcus in Munich.
However, our correspondent adds, the two are still as far apart as ever.However, our correspondent adds, the two are still as far apart as ever.
Before their meeting, Mr Lavrov told the conference Mr Biden's insistence that the Syrian leader step down was counterproductive. Mr Lavrov told the conference Mr Biden's insistence that the Syrian leader step down was counterproductive.
"The persistence of those who say that priority number one is the removal of President Assad - I think it's the single biggest reason for the continued tragedy in Syria," he said."The persistence of those who say that priority number one is the removal of President Assad - I think it's the single biggest reason for the continued tragedy in Syria," he said.
More than 60,000 people have been killed since the uprising against President Assad began 22 months ago, the UN says.More than 60,000 people have been killed since the uprising against President Assad began 22 months ago, the UN says.