1st LD Writethru: Fighting against terrorists top priority in Syria: Russian FM

Fighting terrorism is top priority in the Syria issue, not overturning Syria's Bashar al-Assad government, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters here on Tuesday.

At a press conference after the Syria talks in Vienna, Lavrov said some people should not expect the fall of al-Assad government before combating terrorist groups in the region, the fall of al-Assad government could not lead to the collapse of terrorism in Syria.

The Russia minister also told reporters that Moscow doesn't protect any specific person in Syria, noting some western sanctions are negative as they could cause humanitarian crisis in Syria. Endit