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Russia unable to play role of peacekeeper in the Middle East

Events in Libya became the first attempt when Russia tried to "fit" into the rapidly changing situation, the newspaper underlies

MOSCOW, October 5 (Itar-Tass) — Russia refused to support the resolution on Syria at the UN Security Council which theoretically allows the foreign intervention in the on-going conflict in that country. Moscow is confident that intervention will not stop the bloodshed, but further escalate the conflict. Russia has again attempted to take the role of peacekeeper in the Middle East in the recent past, the "Novye Izvestia" writes.

Events in Libya became the first attempt when Russia tried to "fit" into the rapidly changing situation, the newspaper underlies. Russia took a quite winning position: it formally distanced itself from the operation against Gaddafi, and denounced the use of force in Libya. But Moscow supported the UN SC resolution that introduced no-fly zones over the Libyan territory, and agreed to limited military operation against its erstwhile "client." The result turned out to be discouraging: the West simply ignored Russia's opinion, launching the attack on ground targets instead of limited patrol flights. "An interesting situation developed: the UN Security Council sanctioned one action, but the result was entirely different," former Russian Ambassador to Libya Oleg Peresypkin underlined.

Eni of Italy immediately launched oil production. Italy was actively involved in the anti-Gaddafi operation. The winners only passed Russia (in the person of the Gazprom-neft company) 33 percent in the Elephant project - oil production at new undeveloped fields, which is only possible in a distant future after the cessation of hostilities.

The former Russian envoys in Libya believe presidential representative for the Middle East Mikhail Margelov failed the pragmatic peacekeeper mission for Russia.