`I do not understand why media turn Russian arms exports to Syria into sensation`- Lavrov

"I do not understand why the media are trying to turn it into a sensation. It is not a secret that we are delivering weapons to Syria under previously signed contracts, without violating any international treaties and our laws, which are some of the strictest in the world in terms of export control," Lavrov said at a press conference after talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Sochi on Friday.

UN secretary general asks Damascus to permit chemical arms use probe 

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said that specialists investigating the use of chemical weapons in Syria will be prepared to travel to the country within the next two days, VoR's Olga Denisova reports.

Speaking at a press conference after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Sochi on Friday, Ban urged the Syrian government to allow the experts to visit the site where the incident happened.

The team is ready and will be prepared to leave for the site of the incident within a day or two, he said.

Ban called on the Syrian authorities to demonstrate flexibility.

Moscow hopes UN secretariat, Syrian authorities agree on chemical arms inspections - Lavrov 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he expected the Syrian government and the UN to agree on chemical weapons inspections in Syria on the issue of possible use of chemical weapons in the country, VoR's Olga Denisova says.

"As far as we know, the Syrian government has expressed readiness to consider requests for holding inspections in other Syrian regions after the inspection outside Aleppo is completed," Lavrov said at a news conference in Sochi on the results of talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday.

Lavrov said that he was surprised that the UK and France submitted requests for inspections regarding the possible use of chemical weapons in Syria in December 2012 to the UN only three months later.

"I do not know why these two interested countries waited for almost three months. But this suggests that clarifying the situation with chemical weapons probably was not the most important thing for them because if it was, they would do it in December," Lavrov said.

Ban Ki-moon supports Russian idea of int'l conference on Syria under UN aegis - Lavrov 

Moscow wants a proposed international conference on Syria to take place under the aegis of the United Nations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"We would prefer convening this conference under the UN aegis," he said at a press conference after negotiations with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Sochi on Friday.

The idea of such a conference was supported by the UN secretary general, Lavrov said.

Participants in conference on Syria need to be determined - Lavrov 

The primary current objective of preparations for an international conference on Syria is the determination of representatives of the sides to the Syrian conflict at this event, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a press conference.

"It is most important to understand which representatives of the Syrian sides are ready to attend this conference. Nothing will happen without that," he said after negotiations with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

The only way to resolve international problems is by maintaining the UN's central role - Lavrov 

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said he would like to discuss possible political solutions to the Syrian conflict at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Voice of Russia correspondent reports.

Lavrov, for his part, said he expected the current visit by the UN secretary general to "allow the sides to give detailed consideration to the most important issues for the UN and the international community in general."

"The number of problems facing the world shows no signs of declining, and we are convinced that the only way to resolve them is the need to maintain the UN's central role and respect all of the principles set out in its charter," the Russian minister said.

Ban Ki-Moon to meet with Putin, Lavrov on Syria in Sochi

The Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the Russian resort city of Sochi on Friday.

The talks are expected be largely focused on a resolution to the situation in Syria.

Ban Ki-Moon told the RIA Novosti news agency that he hopes to discuss the Syrian settlement during his visit to Russia because of Russia's important role in international affairs.

Voice of Russia