Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with President Shimon Peres on Thursday night as part of his efforts to promote an international peace conference to be convened in Russia this year. The conference will focus on the conflict between Israel and Syria, and according to Lavrov, will be a direct continuation to last year’s Annapolis conference in the United States.
Peres warned Lavrov that Israel is disinclined to trust Syria’s stated desire for peace, particularly in light of Syrian assistance to Hizbullah. Lavrov said he is unaware of any weapons smuggling between Syria and Hizbullah.