Lavrov: Russian Operation in Syria Ruined Extremists’ Plans to Create Foothold in Middle East

MOSCOW-The Russian Aerospace Forces by their operation in Syria frustrated the extremists’ plans to create a foothold in the Middle East, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday at the government hour at the State Duma lower house of parliament.

According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin put forward an initiative at the UN in September 2015 to create a broad anti-terrorist front based on international law under the UN aegis.

 “In support of this initiative, our Aerospace Forces, present in Syria at the request of the country’s authorities, together with the Syrian government troops and allies frustrated the extremists’ designs to create footholds in the strategically important Middle East region,” Lavrov said.

Lavrov added “it took the Western partners some time to realize the seriousness of challenges of the so-called Islamic State (IS), and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations (outlawed in Russia) and the need to coordinate their efforts with us. “Nevertheless, we have managed to advance in organizing the practical work,” the Russian foreign minister said.

“Russia and the United States have formed the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), the United Nations have made decisions to approve a comprehensive plan that includes the tasks to stop hostilities, ensure humanitarian access to the suffering population in blocked areas, promote the political settlement process without preconditions and without any outside interference.”

“Russia will continue to pursue proactive, independent, responsible policies, based on the rule of international law and collective methods of solving international problems with the central role of the UN”.

Itar tass

H.M