Lavrov: Any foreign presence in Syria without government’s consent violates international law

Amman – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that any foreign presence on Syria’s soil and it its airspace without the approval of the Syrian government violates international law.

Lavrov said in a press conference with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi in Amman on Monday that “Since the very beginning, we have consistently taken a very clear stance. Everyone who is on the Syrian soil or in Syria’s airspace without the consent of the Syrian government violates the international law,” SANA reported.

“Russia, as well as the representatives of Iran, including the representatives of the Hezbollah movement, is working here upon a direct invitation of Syria’s legitimate authorities,” he said.

However, “some unwelcome guests with arms in their hands are in Syria’s territory,” Lavrov said, in reference to the US. “As we saw a possibility to cooperate with them in the war on terror in the interests of all Syrian citizens, such contacts were established,” he added.

Lavrov pointed out that many members of the US coalition are dealing with double standards and are trying to maintain Jabhat al-Nusra, stressing that this is totally unacceptable, because Jabhat al-Nusra and ISIS are listed by the United Nations as terrorist organizations.

Lavrov said Russia and Jordan share common stance on resolving the crisis in Syria, launching the political process in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and the right of the Syrians to determine the future of their country, pointing out that the two sides discussed the situation related to the formation of a de-escalation zone south of Syria.

For his part, the Jordanian foreign minister said that he discussed with his Russian counterpart the de-escalation zones in Syria and the progress towards a political solution to the crisis and joint commitment in the fight against terrorism, pointing out that his country supports Astana track in this regard.