During a telephone conversation today with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed the danger of the involvement of militants from Syria and Libya in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, this according to a statement released by the Russian ministry.

"Moscow and Tehran express serious concern over the unprecedented escalation in the Karabakh conflict zone. The danger of the involvement of illegal armed groups from Syria and Libya was emphasized," the statement reads.

The ministers are said to have reiterated that there is no alternative to a diplomatic settlement of the issue, which should start with a ceasefire without preconditions.

Earlier today, Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergei Naryshkin, expressed concern that Transcaucasia might be turned into a hotbed for foreign terrorists and mercenaries.

Top photo: vestikavkaza.ru