Russian Foreign Ministry reiterated the firm principled policy of Russia that calls for finding a political diplomatic solution to the crisis in Syria and resuming the Syrian-Syrian talks based on the principles that emerged fromn Geneva Communiqué of 30th June of 2012.

It dismissed the allegations launched by some sides accusing the Syrian army of using toxic chemical materials as categorically baseless and do not match reality.

The Ministry added that this new hostile hysteria against Syria over use of chemical weapons raises questions about the real purpose of its launchers who do not miss any attempt to find a pretext for military intervention in Syria.

The ministry said that a recent string of major operations has allowed the Syrian army to gain more ground as the mountainous Qalamoun region along the Lebanese borders has become clear of terrorist groups, adding that the gunmen\'s operations in Homs old city are now weakened.

Increasing numbers of Syrians who took up arms have begun to realize the futility of "fratricidal fighting", the ministry said, which prompted scores of gunmen to hand themselves and weapons over to "the government forces" in Quneitra. The same has happened, the ministry added, with gunmen who exited Homs old city.

The statement commended the local reconciliations and the stop of combat operations in 48 areas in Syria, which made it possible to save hundreds of lives and improved humanitarian conditions in these areas.

The Russian ministry expressed regret at the fact that the current trajectory of events has caused discomfort for certain sides which continue to use fabricated clams against the Syrian government.

As the hostile rhetoric against Syria is sharpened, jihadists\' crimes are overlooked or are, at best, not objectively evaluated, the ministry said, indicating that Damascus and its suburbs are daily targets for indiscriminate missile attacks, and so are Aleppo, Lattakia, Homs and several other Syrian cities, towns and residential areas.

"The areas populated by ethnic and religious minorities remain the preferred targets of extremists\' bombardment,\'\' added the statement.