RUSSIA: Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticizes Western support of Syrian opposition

Record ID: 860001

  • Title: RUSSIA: Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticizes Western support of Syrian opposition
  • Date: 26th July 2012
  • Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (JULY 26, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR OF RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY MANSION RUSSIAN AND SERBIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS SERGEI LAVROV AND VUK JEREMIC ENTERING ROOM FOR TALKS, LAUGHING DELEGATIONS TAKING SEATS LAVROV TALKING JEREMIC TALKING TALKS IN PROGRESS RUSSIAN AND SERBIAN FLAGS IN NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM LAVROV AND JEREMIC DURING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEI LAVROV, SAYING: "We propose things that could immediately stop violence (in Syria). Another side says no, either the capitulation of the regime, or we will continue our support - with money and other means - for the military opposition. They justify terrorist attacks. This is the most important thing. And while this support continues, what humanitarian actions can you talk about?" JOURNALIST ASKING QUESTION (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEI LAVROV, SAYING: "We very much hope that both sides will comply with the appeal by the (U.N.) Security Council to ensure the safety of the U.N. monitors. And I hope that in this case in 25 days when the 30-day term expires, the Security Council will be able to extend that mission further." JOURNALISTS AT NEWS CONFERENCE LAVROV AND JEREMIC ENDING NEWS CONFERENCE, SHAKING HANDS, LEAVING
  • Embargoed: 10th August 2012 13:00
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  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA2YZSU0A08I34O3Z2G8AY6JORS
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  • Story Text: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday (July 26) once again criticized the Western support for the Syrian opposition, a day after he accused the United States of justifying terrorism in Syria.
    He repeated that accusation at a news briefing following talks with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic.
    "We propose things that could immediately stop violence (in Syria). Another side says no, either the capitulation of the regime, or we will continue our support - with money and other means - for the military opposition. They justify terrorist attacks. This is the most important thing. And while this support continues, what humanitarian actions can you talk about?" Lavrov said.
    He also expressed his hope that U.N. monitors will continue to work in Syria.
    "We very much hope that both sides will comply with the appeal by the (U.N.) Security Council to ensure the safety of the U.N. monitors. And I hope that in this case in 25 days when the 30-day term expires, the Security Council will be able to extend that mission further," the Russian foreign minister said.
    On Wednesday (July 25) Lavrov berated Western nations which he said had not condemned attacks that killed top members of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's inner circle.
    He referred to what he said were comments by U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland indicating such attacks were not surprising given the Syrian government's conduct. In response, Lavrov accused the United States of justifying terrorism against the Syrian government.
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