Moscow, July 23 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday articulated his plan for a peaceful settlement to the civil conflict in Syria.

We believe that the course of action should be as follows -- ending violence, conducting negotiations, searching for a solution, laying down a constitutional basis for the future society, and only then introducing structural changes, not vice versa, Putin said.

The other way around there would only be chaos, the president said at a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti.

If incumbent President Bashar al-Assad is removed from power unconstitutionally, the civil war in the country would be endless, Putin added.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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