Sunday 10 June 2012 - 08:01

Russia concerned about terror acts in Syria: Sergei Lavrov

Story Code : 169847

Lavrov warned about the spread of armed groups fighting against the Syrian government inside the country, stating that Russia “will not sanction the use of force (against Syria) at the United Nations Security Council.”

The Russian foreign minister, who made the remarks in a televised press conference in Moscow on Saturday, also gave a briefing on a Russian proposal for an international conference on Syria.

The comments come at a time when some Western governments have called for the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

However, Russian President Vladimir Putin is against the Western demands and has called for action in “an accurate, balanced manner” in Syria.

“Why are we thinking that if we push the current (Syrian) leadership from power, then tomorrow general wellbeing will begin there,” Putin said during a joint press conference with French President Francois Hollande in Paris on June 1.

Meanwhile, a group of UN observers continue monitoring a ceasefire that was part of a six-point peace plan presented by the UN-Arab League envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, in March.

Armed groups, however, have not stopped conducting attacks in the country since the truce took effect on April 12.

On June 4, a new Syrian opposition group, known as the Syrian Rebels Front, announced its formation at a news conference in Turkey.

In addition, the armed rebels fighting the Syrian government say they are no longer committed to the peace plan in Syria.

Lavrov said during the Saturday conference that although the truce in Syria has been shaky, there is “no alternative” to the Annan plan.

The Syrian government has frequently stated that the foreign-sponsored “saboteurs and terrorists” are responsible for the deadly turmoil that began in March 2011.

On June 3, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in a televised address to the parliament that Syria is “facing a war waged from the outside,” stressing that “Standing up against the conspiracy is not easy, but we will overcome the obstacles.”