Syrian opposition leaders are urging Russia to stop standing in the way of efforts to oust authoritarian President Bashar al-Assad.

Opposition official Hazim Nahar said after talks at the Kremlin Monday that Russia has a terrible reputation among the Syrian people. Russia has been one of President Assad's closest allies.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow is actively working with both the Syrian government and the opposition on a political process that he says will allow Syrians to decide their own fate.

In Damascus, United Nations special envoy Kofi Annan said he and Syrian President Assad agree on an approach to end the violence. Mr. Annan has been trying for months to implement a peace plan in Syria.