Russia today urged all Syrian sides to stop hostilities simultaneously to end the 16-month crisis in the country. Ahead of UN-Arab League joint special envoy Kofi Annan's second visit to Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a press conference that the Syrian sides should also synchronically withdraw heavy weaponry and armed forces from cities under the UN mission's control. 

Lavrov said the calls for Russia to persuade Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down are unrealistic, as the president still enjoys supports from a significant part of the Syrian people.