Russia calls for stabilizing the situation in Syria

Moscow calls for an end to all violence in Syria, comments published today by the Department of Information and the Russian Foreign Ministry state, RIA Novosti reports.

"Moscow continues to be concerned about the deteriorating situation in Syria," a commentary said. However, the Foreign Ministry urged not to ignore the fact that "violence in the context of the events taking place in Syria can also come from the side of the protesters."

Mass rallies have been held in Syria in the last six weeks. They began in mid-March, after the arrest in the town of Deraa on the border with Jordan of a group of students who were writing anti-government slogans on walls. People went to the streets demanding the release of the adolescents. Unrest later spread to the other parts of the country, particularly to the cities of Latakia, Baniyas, Homs, Hama and some suburbs of Damascus.