‘Saudi, Russia cooperation on Syria possible’

Saudi Arabia and Russia may coordinate bilateral efforts in a bid to help resolve the Syrian crisis, a former member of Riyadh’s Consultative Assembly, Muhammed Al-Zalfa, said.

Al-Zalfa, who was a member of Gulf Kingdom’s Shura Council, the country’s formal advisory body, told a Russian news agency that Moscow and Riyadh might cooperate in order to resolve the Syrian crisis.

The interview came a few days after Valentina Matviyenko, head of the Russian Upper House, wrapped up her two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, where she met Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz.

It was reported that Matviyenko told King Salman that Russia was not in favour of keeping Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad in office at all costs, but objected to his violent removal. She added that the differences between the two sides were not of an “antagonistic” nature.

Speaking to Sputnik, Al-Zalfa said Matviyenko’s trip to Saudi Arabia indicates the seriousness of the negotiations which may help bring stability to the region.

He pointed out that Saudi Arabia is interested in cooperation with Russia in terms of military equipment as well as the energy and insurance sectors, in order to avoid putting all its eggs in one basket.