Russian Ambassador in Lebanon: Syria Will Remain Unified, Recognition of Opposition Coalition Violates International Legitimacy

Russian Ambassador in Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin reiterated his country’s support to dialogue in Syria as the only way for the political solution in Syria, asserting the necessity of implementing Geneva Statement which needs no other interpretation or additional phrases.

In an interview with the Lebanese As-Safir newspaper published on Saturday, the Russian Ambassador expressed Russia’s clear rejection of the so-called the ‘Syrian Coalition Opposition’, pointing out that it doesn’t represent the opposition because it encompasses another sides in it.

Zasypkin criticized the Americans and their allies’ concentration on a demand on changing the regime in Syria and other repeated demands, asserting that Russia, in contrast, demands to start implementing Geneva Statement, and as a first step the appointment of the transitional administrative system to coordinate the political and field measures unanimously.

He stressed that the coalition doesn’t encompass all opposition groups, therefore, considering it a representative of the Syrian people is unacceptable.

The Russian Ambassador reiterated Russia’s complete rejection of arming the Syrian opposition because these steps may lead to escalate tension, moreover recognizing the coalition violates the international legitimacy and even the principles of democracy.