The US plans to maintain military presence in Syria do not contribute to settlement of the situation in the country, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Thursday.

“The strategy of the United States in Syria is aimed at dividing this country.”

Earlier in a speech at Stanford University, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made a number of statements on Syria. He stressed that the US, EU and regional partners would not help in restoring the areas controlled by Syrian President Bashar Assad, and called on other countries to exert economic pressure on Assad.

Tillerson added that the US will focus on stabilization and political settlement in Syria, with one of Washington’s goals being to reduce Iran’s influence in the country.

Zakharova also mentioned that the Russian FM Sergei Lavrov would participate in Sochi conference on Syria and that 1600 cards of invitation have been distributed to participants representing the various sides.

Source: Al-Manar Website and Sputnik