Russia has questioned Western claims the Syrian regime may
have carried out a chemical weapons attack and branded as "unacceptable"
calls to consider using force against Assad's regime.
With European officials pointing the finger at Assad over Wednesday's alleged attacks, the Russian foreign ministry took a different line, saying the incident appeared to have been "provocative in nature".
While Russia was "encouraging" the Syrian government to cooperate with UN experts to investigate the attack, the ministry said it was the anti-Assad rebels who were preventing the team from safely accessing the area.
"Against the background of another anti-Syrian wave of propaganda, we believe calls from some European countries to apply pressure on the UN Security Council and already now take a decision on the use of force are unacceptable," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.
Russia, seen as Assad's last remaining major ally, said it was in "constant contact" with the Syrian government over the issue. "We are encouraging it (the government) to cooperate constructively" with the UN team.
But the statement also praised a "constructive approach" by the Syrian government towards cooperation with the United Nations.
By contrast, the foreign ministry criticised the Syrian opposition which it said was not showing readiness "to ensure the security and effective work of the UN experts" at the site of the alleged attack.
"This is directly preventing an objective investigation of the claims of the possible use of chemical weapons," it said.
[AFP]
With European officials pointing the finger at Assad over Wednesday's alleged attacks, the Russian foreign ministry took a different line, saying the incident appeared to have been "provocative in nature".
While Russia was "encouraging" the Syrian government to cooperate with UN experts to investigate the attack, the ministry said it was the anti-Assad rebels who were preventing the team from safely accessing the area.
"Against the background of another anti-Syrian wave of propaganda, we believe calls from some European countries to apply pressure on the UN Security Council and already now take a decision on the use of force are unacceptable," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.
Russia, seen as Assad's last remaining major ally, said it was in "constant contact" with the Syrian government over the issue. "We are encouraging it (the government) to cooperate constructively" with the UN team.
But the statement also praised a "constructive approach" by the Syrian government towards cooperation with the United Nations.
By contrast, the foreign ministry criticised the Syrian opposition which it said was not showing readiness "to ensure the security and effective work of the UN experts" at the site of the alleged attack.
"This is directly preventing an objective investigation of the claims of the possible use of chemical weapons," it said.
[AFP]
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