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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Russia warns West, Arabs against arming Syria rebels
2012-04-05
MOSCOW - Russia warned Western and Arab nations on Wednesday against arming opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, saying it would lead to years of bloodshed without helping the rebels to defeat government forces.
Bloodshed that the Rooskies will aid and abet...
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the "Friends of Syria" group of Western and Arab nations is undermining international envoy Kofi Annan's efforts to end more than a year of violence, and criticized countries that support arming the opposition.

"It is clear as day that even if the opposition is armed to the teeth, it will not defeat the Syrian army, and there will simply be slaughter and mutual destruction for long, long years," Interfax news agency quoted Lavrov as saying.
We'll be the judge of that...
Russia has emphasized that the efforts of U.N.-Arab League envoy Annan are the only path to peace and has stayed away from "Friends of Syria" meetings, saying the group is biased in favor of Assad's opponents and is not promoting peace.

Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said that Syrian forces has begun withdrawing from cities and towns in accordance with Annan's plan. Gatilov added that Russia hoped Syria would meet the April 10 deadline, but made clear it would be wary of any new formal action by the Security Council.

After the Council statement in support of Annan's mission, "we believe artificial prodding of this process does not foster conditions for realization of Annan's plan", Interfax quoted Gatilov as saying. "We do not accept any ultimatums."

"In principle we believe it is possible to do without any Security Council decisions. Kofi Annan is continuing his efforts, the Syrian side has begun withdrawing forces from cities. The main thing now is for all sides to carry out Annan's proposals," he said.

Gatilov said Russia would be willing to consider "additional impulses from the Security Council" if other members believe they are needed, but added: "Any reaction by the Security Council must be balanced and contain an appeal to both sides - the government and opposition."
Posted by:Steve White

#2  Gee, sure hope Kofi doesn't step into the fray.
Posted by: canalzone   2012-04-05 22:55  

#1  Mama Russia is essentially telling the anti-Assad US-NATO/EU + Arabs to butt out + leave Bashir + any Syria Peace to the UN + Kofi's Peace Plan.

ARTIC + RUSSIA also read, DITTO AS PER IRAN.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2012-04-05 01:35  

00:00