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In meetings with U.N.Arab League envoy Kofi Annan, Russian President Dmity Medvedev says Russia is willing to provide any help needed to end the conflict in Syria. SOUNDBITE: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev saying (Russian): "This may be the last chance for Syria to avoid a long-lasting and bloody civil war." According to the UN, more than 8,000 civilians have been killed in the year long conflict. SOUNDBITE: U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan, saying: "I think you are right to say that Syria has an opportunity today to work with me and this mediation process to put an end to the conflict, to the fighting, and really to allow access to humanitarian, those in need of humanitarian assistance, as well as to embark on the political process that will lead to a peaceful settlement." In his bid to end the bloodshed --- Annan has concentrated his efforts on Syria's two closest alles -- Russia and China. Both vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for President Bashar al-Assad to step aside. Following the meeting with Medvedev and Russian foreign minister Ser Lavrov , Annan is headed Beijing. Deborah Gembara, Reuters.