Russia says no to anti-Syria UN action

A pro-government rally in support of President Bashar al-Assad and his reform program (File Photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/223025.html

Russia has once again expressed opposition to any United Nation's resolution that would justify sanctions or the use of force against Syria.

Addressing a news conference after a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday warned against any military intervention in Syria, adding that his country believes dialogue is the only way to end months of unrest in the country.

"We support, as a point of principle, an inclusive dialogue among all sides of Syrian society without pre-conditions, on the assumption that all participants in such a dialogue will be guided by the idea of reaching agreement and will show responsibility for the fate of their country and their people," Lavrov said in Moscow.

Lavrov also said Moscow will not support unilateral sanctions against Syria, which were announced without any consultation with Russia and China, criticizing Western powers for seeking the UN "post facto" approval for their "unilateral" actions against Syria.

The top Russian diplomat, however, said his country, a veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, will consider "constructive proposals" aimed at ending the ten months of violence in Syria.

"We are open to constructive proposals that go in line with the set task of ending violence," Lavrov said.

In October, Russia and China blocked a European-drafted Security Council resolution against the Syrian government.

Russia has also rejected a recent call by the Arab League for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March. Many people have lost their lives in the country over the past ten months. Damascus says over 2,000 security forces have been killed in the unrest.

The West and the Syrian opposition accuse the government of killing protesters but Damascus blames ''outlaws, saboteurs and armed terrorist groups'' for the unrest, insisting that it is being orchestrated from abroad.