Russia will not sit idly by as jihadists press Iraq assault
Russian
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in Damascus on Saturday
that his country "will not remain passive" as jihadists push an
offensive in Syria's neighbour Iraq. "Russia will not remain passive to
the attempts by some groups to spread terrorism in the region," Ryabkov
told…
Russia will not sit idly by as jihadists press Iraq assault
16 hours ago
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister
Sergei Ryabkov speaks during a press conference on June 28, 2014 in
Damascus during an official visit in the Syrian capital (AFP Photo/Louai
Beshara)
Damascus (AFP) - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei
Ryabkov said in Damascus on Saturday that his country "will not remain
passive" as jihadists push an offensive in Syria's neighbour Iraq.
"Russia will not remain passive to the attempts by
some groups to spread terrorism in the region," Ryabkov told journalists
after meeting with President Bashar al-Assad.
Sunni militants, led by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) which is active in both Syria and Iraq, have seized vast territory north and west of Baghdad since launching their offensive two weeks ago.
Ryabkov, whose country is Assad's main backer, did not elaborate on what steps Russia might take.
Sunni militants, led by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) which is active in both Syria and Iraq, have seized vast territory north and west of Baghdad since launching their offensive two weeks ago.
Ryabkov, whose country is Assad's main backer, did not elaborate on what steps Russia might take.
"The situation is very dangerous in Iraq and the foundations of the Iraqi state are under threat," he said.
Ryabkov
also reiterated Moscow's position that the crises in Syria and Iraq
must be resolved "through a genuine national dialogue".
Asked
about Washington's decision to support moderate rebels in Syria,
Ryabkov said: "There can be no alternative to a political solution."
He added: "We reject this US policy. It is in everybody's interest, including the Americans, to act responsibly on Syria."
President
Barack Obama has asked US lawmakers to authorise a $500 million plan to
arm and train the Syrian opposition, which has been fighting both
Assad's troops and the jihadist ISIL.
Ryabkov said Damascus had
taken a "responsible" decision in handing over its chemical weapons
arsenal, while calling on Israel to "abide by" the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
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