US' Kerry offers support to Russian FM after amb. slain

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

Secretary of State John Kerry expressed condolences to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday after Moscow's envoy to Turkey was slain Monday night.

Russian Amb. Andrey Karlov was assassinated after being shot multiple times at an art exhibition in Ankara while delivering a speech. The assailant was 22-year-old Turkish riot policeman Mevlut Mert Altintas, who opened fire on the diplomat before shooting into the air, according to an Anadolu Agency correspondent who witnessed the incident.

Police special forces killed Altintas in an operation that lasted around 15 minutes. Meanwhile, Karlov was seriously wounded and immediately taken to Guven Hospital in the Turkish capital’s Cankaya district, where he was later pronounced dead.

During his call with Lavrov, Kerry "offered U.S. assistance to the investigation in whatever capacity would be required," according to the State Department.

Lavrov and Kerry further discussed the situation in Syria "and the ongoing efforts to reach an immediate cease-fire, secure the prompt delivery of humanitarian assistance, and resume political talks to end the civil war," spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

Lavrov on Tuesday participated in a trilateral meeting on Syria with his Iranian and Turkish counterparts, Javad Zarif and Mevlut Cavusoglu in Moscow.

The countries agreed on a "joint declaration" to find a solution in Syria following their meeting.