The Interfax news agency quotes Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov as saying Russia agrees to host a new meeting of the “Friends of Syria” group in Moscow. This group, at a meeting in Geneva on June 30, agreed on a roadmap to pave the way for a transition in Syria to end the conflict. However, Bogdanov stressed that no world power has the right to decide the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. He said that the military-technical cooperation between Russia and Syria did not violate international commitments. Interfax reported that Russia has sent a naval flotilla led by an anti-submarine destroyer to its naval base at the Syrian port of Tartus.

Kofi Annan arrived at Badgdad on Tuesday for talks with Iraq’s leaders to discuss the unstable situation in Syria. Iraqi national television reported that Annan is expected to meet with Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki to discuss efforts to find a solution to the conflict in Syria. Iraq frequently confirms its stance supporting political change in Syria.

Meanwhile, violence continued in Syria on Tuesday, killing at least 13 people, including 7 civilians. Violence on Monday left 98 people dead.