MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia’s position on Syria has never wavered and Moscow will continue to support the only legitimate power in the country, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Friday.
“Russia has never changed its position on the Syrian issue. Both then and now we support only the legitimate power,” Medvedev wrote on his Facebook account.
On Tuesday evening, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad made an unannouced visit to Moscow to hold talks with senior Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Medvedev.
Unlike certain Western countries, including the United States, Russia recognizes Bashar al-Assad as the legitimate authority in the country, stressing that the Syrian people are free to choose their leadership without outside intervention.
Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011. Forces loyal to Assad have been fighting several opposition factions and numerous militant groups, including the Islamic State (ISIL).
Moscow has been providing military and humanitarian aid to Damascus in a bid to help the people of the war-torn country.
In late September, Russia began precision airstrikes against IS positions in Syria at Assad’s request.
(Sputnik)
23/10/15
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Syrian President Bashar Assad is the problem and not the solution where the crisis in Syria is concerned, French President Francois Hollande said Friday...
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Hollande was speaking at a news conference alongside Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
European Union heads of state have been critical of Russia's military intervention in the civil war that has killed 250,000 people in Syria, but have failed to agree among themselves on whether Assad should have any role in ending the crisis. France has repeatedly said Assad should not be involved in any talks.
Reuters