SYRIA: Supporters of President Bashar al-Assad line streets to welcome Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and thank Moscow for U.N. veto

Record ID: 280224

  • Title: SYRIA: Supporters of President Bashar al-Assad line streets to welcome Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and thank Moscow for U.N. veto
  • Date: 8th February 2012
  • Summary: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (FEBRUARY 7, 2012) (REUTERS) TRAFFIC ON ROAD, PEOPLE WITH FLAGS MARCHING IN THE BACKGROUND VARIOUS OF PEOPLE MARCHING ALONG ROAD WITH RUSSIAN AND OFFICIAL RED-WHITE-BLACK SYRIAN FLAGS WOMEN STANDING BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD HOLDING SYRIAN FLAGS AND PICTURES OF SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD GIRLS HOLDING SIGNS WITH RUSSIAN WRITING (SOUNDBIT) (Arabic)
  • Embargoed: 23rd February 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Syrian Arab Republic
  • Country: Syria
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVACVOC41HOV99QX3GWLG34X12IU
  • Story Text: Supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad waved Russian and Syrian flags as they gathered by a road in Damascus to welcome Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday (February 7).
    Foreign Minister Lavrov and Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Mikhail Fradkov were due to meet Assad in Damascus and discuss ways to try to end the uprising. The visit comes after Moscow vetoed a resolution against Syria at the United Nations Security Council on Saturday (February 4).
    Supporter Bader Ghanem thanked Russia for taking this position.
    "We came here to receive Russia's Foreign Minister and Intelligence Chief, welcome them and thank them for their position towards Syria," he said.
    But activists on Tuesday said heavy bombardment of Homs resumed after at least 95 civilians were killed on Monday in an offensive crackdown.
    The authorities say the military is fighting "terrorists" in Homs bent on dividing and sabotaging the country.
    Syria, a majority Sunni Muslim nation, has been since 1970 under the rule of the Assad family from the minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam.
    Reports from activists and authorities are hard to verify because Syria restricts access for independent media.
    "We are so happy that Russia is visiting us. We hope they see how we live. And how our country was sabotaged by armed groups and how we were living safely," said Assad supporter, Hanan Osman.
    Western and Arab countries criticised Russia for blocking the U.N. resolution on Saturday (February 4).
    Lavrov defended the veto on Monday, saying it prevented the Security Council from taking sides in a civil war. He said Russia was pressing Assad's government to implement reforms more swiftly.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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