Lavrov Criticizes Western Attempts to Pass Sanctions against Syria

Local Editor

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday criticized the attempts by western countries to pass sanctions against Syria.

During a meeting with the foreign ministers of Iran, Cuba and Egypt on the sideline of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York, Lavrov said that Russia denounces the double standards in international relations.
He added that Russia believes that sanctions are not the way resolve international issues, which is why it opposes sanctions against Syria.

Earlier on Tuesday, Lavrov said Syria is the cornerstone in the structure of the Middle East and the preservation of peace and security in the region is dependent on it to a large extent.

In an interview with the Russian government newspaper Rossiyskaya Gzeta in New York, Lavrov noted it is no wonder the situation in Syria will be one of the key topics of discussion at the 66th session of the UN General Assembly which has already kicked off in New York.

He added that Russia and its partners in the BRICS group- China, India, Brazil and South Africa- and a number of other countries are no less interested in this discussion than the Western countries.

"It's not at all appropriate to say that President Bashar al-Assad is not able to find a common language with the opposition," said Lavrov, wondering why is it that this task should be laid on one side only.

"We see that the opposition should bear responsibility for ensuring a peaceful future for Syria," said the Russian Foreign Minister, considering this the opposition's "national duty".

Lavrov said it is irresponsible to overlook the call for dialogue and ignore the tangible steps President al-Assad has made toward reforming the legislations with regard to the parties, the elections and the local administrations even if they may have come late.

He added that taking the line of boycotting the calls for dialogue in the hope of the help of the West like what happened in Libya won't lead to anything good.