Russia Slams Syria Rebels’ Ultimatum to Diplomats: New Coalition must Spurn Foreign Meddling

Local Editor

Russia on Monday called on Syria's newly-united opposition to seek a negotiated solution to their country's conflict without interference from abroad.

Under US-Gulf pressure, Syria's opposition factions agreed at a conference in Qatar at the weekend to create a new so-called "National Coalition" after the deep disputes that emerged between the opposition factions.
In its first reaction to the move, the Russian foreign ministry emphasized in a statement that the new coalition should act in the interests of Syria and not foreign powers.
"The main criteria for us is that members of such alliances must act based on a platform of peaceful regulation of the conflict by Syrians themselves, without interference from outside and through dialogue and negotiation," it said.

In the statement, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said some Syrian opposition groups had declined to join the new entity.
Moreover, he slammed the Syrian opposition's threats to foreign diplomatic missions in the country.
"We consider such behavior of the hardline Syrian opposition issuing these ominous ultimatums unacceptable. We reiterate that the future of Syria cannot be linked to those who rely on forceful and openly terrorist means," Lukashevich said.

He further added: "Moscow follows the developments in Syria attentively. We are deeply concerned with unprecedented growth of terrorism activity, religious and political extremism there in recent months."
The ultimatum which was issued by the military council of the FSA demanded that all foreign diplomatic missions, organizations, and foreign workers leave the country within 72 hours.
It also ordered all businessmen to stop dealing with the Syrian government.
In parallel, Moscow revealed that "it is are continuing contacts both with the Syrian government and the whole spectrum of Syrian opposition forces, pressing them to take a constructive position."

For his part, Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said separately, on Twitter: "Unification of the Syrian opposition can be helpful if it enters into political dialogue with the government."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org