No talk on Syria's post-Assad future, says Russia
Russia Friday dismissed US State Department claims that it was discussing Syria's future without President Bashar Assad sparking the latest diplomatic spat between Moscow and Washington.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov categorically denied the allegations by State Department spokesman Victoria Nuland that Moscow and Washington "are continuing to talk about a post-Assad transition strategy".
"It's not true that we are discussing Syria's fate after Bashar Assad," Lavrov told reporters here.
"We aren't dealing with a regime change either through approving unilateral actions at the United Nations Security Council nor through taking part in some political conspiracies."
He said Russia believed it was up to the Syrians to determine their country's future and that foreign players shouldn't interfere in that.
Lavrov said a proposed international conference on Syria should focus on talks to end the conflict in the Middle East country, adding that Russia opposes any attempt to use the forum to predetermine future of the violence ridden country.
"This meeting should be aimed at mobilizing resources that foreign players have to create conditions needed to start an all-Syrian political process, not to predetermine its direction."
Russia and China two permanent members of the Security Council have twice shielded Syria from international sanctions over violent crackdown on protests that have left more than 9,000 people dead according to the UN.
The Russian stand has triggered diplomatic row with the US as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has increasingly used harsh words to criticise Russia's refusal to take tougher measures on Syria.
Source: Middle East News.Net
- 342 reads
