Russia Stands by Ally Syria as Strikes Loom
Russia on Monday firmly stood by its ally Syria as President Bashar Assad's foreign minister visited Moscow, warning that military strikes against the regime would lead to an "outburst" of terrorism.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, after talks with his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Muallem in Moscow, painted a dark picture of the consequences of U.S.-led military action and insisted the regime was still ready for talks.
In a sign of the closeness of the relationship between Moscow and Damascus, Muallem passed on Assad's personal thanks to Russian President Vladimir Putin for his support in arguing against military action at the G20 summit in Saint Petersburg.
"All the more, politicians share our estimation that a military solution will lead to an outburst of terrorism both in Syria and in neighboring countries," Lavrov said after the talks.
Lavrov also warned strikes would create even more refugees and added Russia "cannot not be worried by the fate of Russians living in Syria whose health and life might be put at risk."
"The possibility for a political solution remains," Lavrov said, emphasizing that his Syrian counterpart has assured him at the talks that Damascus was still "ready for peace talks".
The visit by Muallem came as U.S. lawmakers were to return Monday from a summer break and debate limited U.S. military action in Syria.
Russia and the United States agreed in May to organize a peace conference in Geneva bringing all sides to the table but the idea is fast receding as momentum grows for strikes over an alleged August 21 chemical attack outside Damascus.
"We are truly ready to take part in the Geneva conference without preconditions," said Muallem.
"We are also ready for dialogue with all political forces who favor reestablishing peace in our country," Muallem added.
But he warned that the position would change if military strikes took place.
"Right up to now we are ready (to take part). But I do not know what could happen after an American aggression. It's possible the rockets will land and wreck this conference," he said.
Moscow has also made clear it is unconvinced the regime was behind the chemical weapons attack that the United States and its allies say was carried out by the government and demands retribution.
Lavrov reaffirmed his belief that military strikes on Syria could wreck the chances of holding the peace conference.
"Most specialists believe that if the strikes happen the chances of holding the conference would be undermined," he said.
Russia's top diplomat added that U.N.-Arab League Syria envoy Lakhdar Brahimi had told him on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Saint Petersburg last week that he shared this view.
Despite insistent Western pressure, Russia has refused to abandon its cooperation with the Assad regime throughout the two-and-a-half year conflict that has claimed more than 100,000 lives according to U.N. figures.
It has defiantly continued military cooperation, although Putin said last week Moscow had suspended deliveries of S-300 missile systems under a contract that outraged the West.
Russia's close ties to Damascus date back to the alliance between the Soviet Union and Assad's late father Hafez. The Kremlin fears losing arms contracts and influence if the dynasty falls.
11 years
I thought he went there to negotiate a compromise of sorts to ship all the chemical weapons in Syria to Russia to appease the US and the scud missiles to the Russian naval base in Syria in fear of US attack?
11 years
I wonder if Turkey let him use their airspace or did he have to take the long way around through Iran
11 years
I think we should give in to the USA intention. The USA wants all Christians out of the ME. whether dead or alive, the Isrseli-USA needs no-Christian face and blend in Arab society. They made it clear in 1973 refrencing Lebanon but Assad was smart then to thwart that plan in Lebanon. So USA ended up invading Iraq and removing 70% of its Christian population. Then USA supported Muslim brotherhood in Egypt and removed 50% of its Christian population. Now Syria, its going to follow through as Iraq. Now someone will ask why? I hope I do not sound racist because I am not. But Christians add this edge to the Arabic society that Israel finding threatning to its control
11 years
this one is for you Bustany, and your claims that Hafez "prtected" Lebanese Christians:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVevnYFmM8w
11 years
sorry.. just realized the severe typo.. "protected"
11 years
And this for you to see the CURRENT situation in Maaloul:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQSieDwoA9c
C'mon you, dust off yourself and join reality. While I sympathize and agree with you that things weren't as good as our friends here say they were and perpetrators should be punished, you simply cannot stay in the past and to forgo reality and the future.
11 years
Endless. Let us get this right. I being against the Assad govt does not mean I am with the takfiris. I believe that once, or should I say if, Assad is toppled, there is enough moderates in Syria to elect a secular, minority protecting, democratic govt. let us not forget that it is Assad himself who freed a lot of these people in the first place (am not saying foreign jihadists have not entered since.) let us not forget that Assad himself could have spared the country by agreeing to step down and holding free and fair internationaly monitered elections. Let us also not forget that this started because some kids were tortured for writing graffiti on the wall.
11 years
I am a Christian. But why should I only sympathise with Christians? Which I do. Where is your sympathy for the kids and men and women who were tortured, arbitrarily arrested and disappeared in the five star jails of this man during and before the uprising? Yes I will hold Syria responsible for what it did in Lebanon as long as it is the same family and mentality that is ruling it. Once these criminals are made to pay the price I will forget. So let us speak the truth and be equally critical. And that if Assad (father & son) were not the definition of monsters all of this would have been avoided.
11 years
arzak-ya-libnan; Realpolitik -- he can't be removed militarily and not cause the country to delve hastily into chaos. There's so much terroristic aggregation in Syria it that I am in disbelief. I've seen things. Things Lebanon can't surmount if they are not kicked out of Syria even if the opposition takes hold right this very moment. That's why I believe the solution should be political. Al-Assad removed and both the FSA and the SAA removed every trace of terrorists. If they keep thinning each others' numbers while terrorists continue to amass in numbers and replace losses from all around the world, they and us would be place between a rock and a hard place. We're on the same side, believe you me.
11 years
arzak-ya-libnan, yes I agree with all your statements, except one. I despise the treacherous Syrian relations and the Lebanese collaborates of that time (i.e. at least half of parliament today ) and would rather see all of them AND Al-Assad and their memories removed from the potentially glorious 10452km2 sanctuary of the blessed Cedars, Lebanon.
I agree Al-Assad should be removed, I agree his internal policies were barbarous, I agree moderates should take hold of the country, I agree they should work for a secular and fair democracy, I agree Al-Assad may have released hundreds of terrorists, what I agree to disagree on however is the current situation in terms of the ability of the moderates to avoid a failed state while in the truest sense of the word, terrorists number in the tens of thousands.
11 years
All those backing Ass-ad on the backs of Muslim blood, no that they will be held to account eventually, as their hatred and blindness to the suffering in Syria will not go unpunished,those that believe their own lies.
11 years
Rover98
Russia has its interests in Syria but they should stop backing the Assad boys. They have messed things up royaly. They are spoilt children. The Neros and Caligulas of Syria.
Rover98 is obviously a fundamentalist and is part of the problem. Fundamentalism is the direct result of dictatorial regimes in the Arab world fueled by both Gulf money and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Fundamentalism and dictatorship are an aberration to the 21st century.
Although I understand its interests, I am baffled as to why Russia is backing a killer like Assad.
11 years
Machia, most countries of the Middle East are dictatorships. The real irony is when monarchs advocate democracy in other country. The real problem, though, is not the fueling of money for dictatorships as it has been seen they will be toppled regardless in a short amount of time by the people if tyranny reaches to a certain degree. A bit disappointed that someone who knows much (presumably) about the great Machiavelli would miss this fine point. Al-Assad while a dictator to a certain extent, has planned well and is in relatively decent health. The real problem is the mentality of Arabs who don't have any notion of democracy, having been under the tyranny of absolute rulers from the beginning of their time. Up until recently more or less.
11 years
I still say Arab's are better than the West in that the West has spilled much more blood than the Arabs will in achieving democracy and hopefully, with the West's guidance and help they can save thousands and millions of lives and also shed some 100 years or so from the process.
Russia's support is quite evident and out in the open I think.
11 years
Machia, besides, pushing for US military intervention/action makes a lot of sense for Israel.
First, if America DOES seem weak, Iran won't mind the threats all that much/won't be afraid/US pressure won't work/Iran will be encouraged.
Second, it's about time Al-Assad is replaced. Al-Assad being so sympathetic to Iran is dangerous in both expanding its already significant influence over the region(Iran-Syria-Iraq-Lebanon+regional countries) and its direct and unhampered logistical ease in delivering weapons to Hizbullah(through Syria). A replacement for Al-Assad, one who is much less sympathetic to Iran makes sense, and to take advantage of US intervention to shield Israel from the spotlight in its ambitions makes even more sense.I do not understand why regime change is bad for Israel, especially since many of the more prominent members of the coalition are great replacements wanting to please the West/cut off ties with Iran/Hezbollah.
11 years
endless, sorry I did not make myself clear, I meant the fuelling of money to fundamentalists. Both the Islamic Republic of Iran and Gulf countries played and still play a large part in the spread of extremism.
Dictatorships cannot fight extremism, only democracies can. Why? because extremism is fought by interaction, ideas, economic prosperity and outcome.
Dictatorships fight extremism by fire and this only promotes it.
The only way of getting rid of extremism is to get rid of those crazy, thieving and murdering dictators.
11 years
Machia, agreed. I'm in favor of regime change but only so long as there is absolute guarantee that the same lunatics the world is fighting against don't amass power in Syria, especially seeing as how it's right next to Lebanon. This would create a rippling effect throughout the middle east as countries try to seek control and advertise themselves against such developments while not being honest and simply playing with emotions.
I'm not affected by the later because I've seen many, many videos to see the threat is real and quiet dangerous. I've even seen dozens of videos where they've set up training grounds far better than those in Afghanistan or elsewhere, and yes, they're the extremists. It has already started.
11 years
To Arzak-ya-libnan, you want the Syrians to pay, what if the Palestinians requested that the Christians that supported and helped carry out the sabra-shatila massacre pay. My point is sometimes its best to move on and cover up the scars of the past. Don't let the scars of the past cloud your judgement of the current situation or the future.
taking a vacation mr terror?