MOSCOW, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Russia expects to resume economic and investment cooperation with the new Syrian leaders, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday.

Russia maintains contacts with the new Syrian authorities through its diplomatic mission, Lavrov said, adding that Moscow is interested and ready for dialogue with the authorities on bilateral and regional issues.

The senior diplomat also said that all political and ethno-religious groups should participate in elections in Syria, and Russia is ready to assist the political process.