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Lavrov doubts NATO intends to repeat Libyan scenario in Syria

“At least we’ve not heard such ideas in our contacts with representatives of the Alliance countries and other states,” the minister said

MOSCOW, June 28 (Itar-Tass) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he doubted that NATO intended to repeat the Libyan scenario in Syria.

“I don’t believe that any NATO member seeks to fuel its appetite to repeat the Libyan adventure,” Lavrov said after the talks with his Tunisian counterpart Rafik Abdessalam on Thursday.

“At least we’ve not heard such ideas in our contacts with representatives of the Alliance countries and other states,” the minister added.

“Sometimes we hear anonymous calls for starting the armed invasion in Syria. Such scenarios are unacceptable and they will have catastrophic consequences. It’s rather to look at the consequences of the operation in Libya,” Lavrov stressed.

In his words, such unacceptable scenarios “are the common position with Tunisia on the Syrian crisis”. “Under all circumstances we explain our position. Such plans [interference in Syria] will have catastrophic consequences,” the Russian minister said. He called for looking at the effects of the NATO operation in Libya.

“Much should be done in Libya in order to normalize the functioning of the state. We will continue this work. The consequences of the Libyan crisis are effective in Syria where the country has risks to break into pieces.” If the intervention begins, the consequences will be deeper and affect many countries, Lavrov said.

To this end, he stressed mass media responsibility. “It is important to continue strive for showing and telling the truth. Wild stories, consisting of slogans that the regime is criminal, stuff certain ideological attitudes into people’s mind,” Lavrov said.

The minister noted the importance of showing that no one party used violence in Syria. There are isolated detachments of the opposition and terrorists, he added.

The government should observe the freedom of the speech in mass media. “This proves that none should close dissenting television channels as the EU did towards several Syrian mass media. Of course, this means that it is necessary to prevent armed attacks on mass media. Unfortunately, this is the norm for certain governments,” the Russian foreign minister noted.

He cited as an example NATO bombing attacks on the BBC TV centre in Belgrade and the destruction of the TV centre in Tripoli by the Alliance. “Recently the Syrian TV in Damascus has been attacked. Till now I’ve not heard any resolute position from my Western colleagues in this aspect. It’s sad,” Lavrov pointed out.