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Syrian pres hopes for Russia’s backing

Russia and China, using their veto right, disagreed with biased accusations against Damascus in the voting at the UN Security Council

MOSCOW, October 30 (Itar-Tass) — Syrian President Bashar Assad hopes for Russia’s support. He expressed this idea in an interview with the “Voskresnoye Vremya (Sunday Time)” programme of the First Channel.

“We hope, above all, for Russia as a country, with which we are linked by strong (in historical way) relations. Russia’s role is very important. Starting from the first days of the crisis, we were in constant contact with the Russian government. We described in detail our Russian friends the development of events,” Assad noted.

“Russia knew of the danger of military or political interference in Syria’s domestic affairs. Therefore, Russia played an important role in the international arena, which materialised, for instance, in the veto, used by Russia in voting at the UN Security Council,” said the Syrian president. “Therefore, we rely on Russia’s stand and that Russia will continue supporting not only Syria, but will also come out for stabilisation of the situation in the world.”

Mass disorders in Syria have been going on since last March. Assad’s opponents stage daily numerous demonstrations in streets of Syrian cities, demanding the president’s immediate resignation and reforms. The country’s authorities, using army units, toughly quash protest actions, which provokes growing anxiety of the world community.

According to the UN data, over 3,000 people were killed since the start of rioting in the country as a result of clashes between protesters and security forces.

Russia and China, using their veto right, disagreed with biased accusations against Damascus in the voting at the UN Security Council on October 5.

Earlier, President Dmitry Medvedev said that a resolution should be comprehensive and preclude outside military interference. “We warned our partners, including at the top level, that we stand out against the use of sanctions in an ultimatum form,” he emphasised. “We shall fully support a demand to the Syrian leadership to stave off violence against its residents, but we should see the situation as a whole.”

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