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Middle East and North Africa

Al-Assad overthrow not end war in Syria – Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister confirmed that Russia did not intend to give al-Assad political asylum

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, December 22 (Itar-Tass) — Western special services predict that the overthrown of Bashar al-Assad will not end the war in Syria, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told journalists on Saturday.

“Western special services say the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad will not stop the bloodshed in Syria. This is the country where various ethnic groups and religions coexisted for many thousands of years. To destroy all to overthrown only one person... We observed such events in Yugoslavia and Iraq and we observed what had happened in Libya because Al-Gaddafi’s head was needed,” Lavrov said.

“One cannot simply say – the Arab Spring, democratisation, the drive for the better life – how childish. A serious political analysis really lacks,” the Russian foreign minister noted.

He confirmed that Russia did not intend to give al-Assad political asylum. “Russia said we had not invited al-Assad. We have no such plans. Certain countries of the region addressed us: ‘Tell al-Assad we are ready to accept him’. But we replied: ‘What does this come in? If we have such plan, address directly’,” Lavrov said.

He recalled that al-Assad himself made a statement saying he was not going to resign. Lavrov referred to al-Assad saying even if Russia or China invited him, he would die in Syria.

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