Russia says not crucial to keep Syria's Assad in power

Keeping Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in power is not crucial for Russia, RIA news agency quoted Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying on Tuesday.

When asked if saving Assad was a matter of principal for Russia, Zakharova said: "Absolutely not, we never said that."

"We are not saying that Assad should leave or stay," she added.

Russia's Foreign Ministry added that views of Russia, U.S., Saudi Arabia partially agree on which parts of Syrian opposition can be part of Syria dialogue.

However, Zakharova was also quoted saying that Assad's his fate should be decided by Syrian people. "I can confirm that Russia's position on resolving the Syrian (crisis) has not changed," she was quoted as saying by TASS news agency.

Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov also confirmed Tuesdat thay Moscow is interested in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation joining talks on Syria.