Russia criticises US threats against Syria

MOSCOW: Russia hit out on Tuesday against US threats towards Syria over its alleged ties to terrorists and cross-border help for insurgents in neighboring Iraq, saying they only worsened the situation in the region.

“We are concerned about the situation surrounding Syria. It is important not to provoke further tension in a region already overflowing with crises,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a statement. “If there are some remaining concerns, they should be backed up by concrete proof and resolved through negotiations. The language of threats can only worsen the situation,” he added.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrived Monday on a four-day official visit to Russia and was to hold talks Tuesday with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

The visit comes as Washington continues to accuse Syria of sponsoring international terrorism and turning a blind eye to anti-American insurgents crossing the border into neighboring Iraq. US President George W Bush warned Syria last month against “meddling” in Iraq and said Washington had a variety of diplomatic and economic measures it could take. afp

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