Putin: No Substitute for Political Solution to Syria Crisis

CAIRO, (ST)_ Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that there is no substitute for a political solution to the crisis in Syria, indicating that the reason behind what is happening in Syria and Iraq is the “blatant external interference, adopting double standards and dividing terrorists to Good and Evil.”

In an interview with the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram hours before his arrival in Cairo on an official visit President Putin reiterated yesterday his country’s support for Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

In an earlier press interview in November, 2014, President Putin stressed that Russia will continue to provide support and assistance to Syria, Iraq and other countries in the region in the fight against terrorism, stressing that the fight against terrorism should be based on UN Security Council resolutions and strict compliance with international law, especially the principles of state sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs of States.

In his interview with Al-Ahram daily, President Putin indicated that the steps taken by countries participating in the “terrorism fighting coalition are not compatible with the threat of terrorism, which cannot be contained just by air strikes.

T. Fateh