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MOSCOW. — Russia yesterday 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 US-led military action and insisted Syria was still ready for talks.
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 neighbouring 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, emphasising that his Syrian counterpart has assured him at the talks that Damascus was still “ready for peace talks”.
The visit by Muallem came as US lawmakers were to return on Monday from a summer break and debate limited US military action in Syria. — AFP
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