| In Beijing, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov condemned twin bombings in Syria, accusing unspecified foreign countries of encouraging such violence and saying Moscow would not yield to pressure to change its stance on a resolution to the conflict. Lavrov was speaking after a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi on a visit to China. His remarks came in reaction to two car bombings that killed tens of people and wounded hundreds in Damascus; the deadliest attacks in the Syrian capital since unrest in the country began 14 months ago. Russia says Western nations have understated the strength of armed groups and not pressured them enough to lay down their arms. Together with China, Russia has vetoed two Western-backed UN Security Council resolutions calling on Assad to step down as a move towards a solution. Russia and China say Assad's exit will do nothing to reduce unrest in Syria and that a resolution demanding he step down will, if passed, give Western countries a pretext to intervene, using military force in a push for regime change once the president has refused to surrender. Both countries say outside interference is unacceptable and both are calling for political dialogue between the Syrian government and its opponents without preconditions. At the same press conference, Yang Jiechi urged all sides to stick to the peace plan of UN mediator Kofi Annan, which China supports. Under his plan, Annan declared a ceasefire on April 12. With unrest continuing ... |
