Russia’s and Pakistan’s views coincide on Syria

On 8 February 2012, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had talks with his Pakistani counterpart Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar in Moscow.

 “There can be no other way to peace in Syria than through a peaceful dialogue between the conflicting sides," Mr. Lavrov said at the press conference. “The international community should encourage them to start such a dialogue, but no external force should pressure Syria into making any particular decision.”

He also described as “bizarre” the decision by several countries, both in the West and in the Arab world, to recall their ambassadors from Syria.

“Russia would back any initiative aimed at persuading the conflicting sides in Syria to start a dialogue,” Mr. Lavrov said. “That is what all the countries, be it the US, Europe, or the Arab world, should do here – persuading, but not putting pressure on either side to take any particular decision.”

Asked whether Russia had tried to persuade Bashar al-Assad to resign, Mr. Lavov said:

“No. It is up to the Syrians themselves to decide who should rule their country. I believe that Syria’s current government should hold talks with all opposition forces in the country, for the final decision should suite everyone.”

“I don’t understand what was behind the decision of several countries to recall their ambassadors from Syria,” Sergey Lavrov continued. “This will hardly help to settle the Syrian conflict peacefully.”