Putin Slams US Kerry over Bluffs on Syria

TEHRAN -Russian President Vladimir Putin called US Secretary of State John Kerry a liar, claiming he had denied that al-Qaeda was fighting along with the terrorist  groups against the Syurian government ,according to FNA.

 “This was very unpleasant and surprising for me. We talk to them (the Americans) and we assume they are decent people, but he is lying and he knows that he is lying. This is sad,” Putin said.

Putin also repeated Russia’s position that any use of military force against Syria without the approval of the “UN Security Council “would be an act of aggression, Al-Alam reported.

It was unclear exactly what Putin was referencing, but Kerry was asked Tuesday while testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee if the Syrian opposition had become more infiltrated by al-Qaeda.

Kerry responded that was “basically incorrect” and that the opposition has “increasingly become more defined by its moderation.”

When asked if a strike would make al-Nusra Front and other extremist forces stronger, Kerry responded, “No, I don’t believe you do (make them stronger). As a matter of fact, I think you actually make the opposition stronger. And the opposition is getting stronger by the day now.”

M.D