Russia’s Deputy PM : Russian Weapons Exported to Syria Cannot Be Used against Civilians

MOSCOW, (ST)_ Russian Deputy Prime Minister, in charge of Military Industries, Dmitry Rogozin, on Thursday has criticized the focus on Russia and its supplying arms to Syria, while others import different kinds of weapons to launch battles against legitimate authority, stressing that his country don’t supply any prohibited weapons.

In a meeting held today in Moscow between the Russia Parliamentarians and a delegation representing the Council of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), Russia Today Website quoted Rogozin as saying that all weapons supplied to Syria are for defense.

Rogozin has said that the weapons Russia has exported to Syria cannot be used against the civilians and the weapons systems, especially the air defense systems supplied, will be used by Syria only to defend itself against external threats.

Weapons Export Controlling in Russia, unlike other countries, is subjected to strict measures, Rogozin added.

To focus on Russia concerning the issue of exporting weapons is untrue, because Russia has always been faithful to its international commitments, Rogozin pointed out.

In this context, Deputy Russian Foreign Minister, Alexander Grushko, confirmed his country’s firm stance as to get the crisis in Syria sorted out by the Syrians’ efforts without any foreign interference.

In a speech before Council of the Russian Federation in presence of a delegation from NATO PA, Grushko said that Russia has been doing its best for helping to launch  political dialogue and violence halt in Syria, yet Russia’s partners should also exert all efforts possible to push the Syrian opposition to start dialogue with the authority.

He added that the main task of the international community is restricted to implementing the plan of the former UN Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan and Geneva statement, in addition to providing support to the current UN Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi’s mission.

Grushko voiced concern  over terrorists’ infiltration and weapons smuggling into Syria, pointing out that the fragmentation of the opposition constitutes an obstacle on the way of solving the crisis in Syria.

The opposition is unable to unite its ranks or form a political force to dialogue with, Grushko  concluded.

Syria Times