Russia's NATO Envoy Warns against Syria, Iran Military Action

Russia's departing ambassador to NATO warned the West on Friday against any foreign intervention in Syria, saying that the Arab Spring was already bringing Islamic fundamentalists to power.

"I believe that any foreign influence, pressure on a country such as Syria will inevitably lead to a catastrophe," Dmitry Rogozin, who was named vice prime minister in charge of the defense industry last month, told reporters.

"You shouldn't interfere in Syrian affairs. This is very dangerous," said Rogozin.

Rogozin, a frequent critic of NATO's air war in Libya, said "Islamic fundamentalists" had won elections in Egypt and Tunisia this year following the popular ouster of veteran autocrats.

"If you believe that you want to have neighbors in the south where Sharia law is enforced, it will not be the best result for Europe," the 48-year-old diplomat said.

"The West is faced with a dilemma: What is preferable? A tyrant that you dealt with before, that you sold arms to, made different deals with during different campaigns? Or is it al-Qaida that is preferable?"

He added: "That is why I believed and I still believe that the Arab Spring will end with a hot Arabic summer -- and you will not like it."

Russia, along with China, vetoed a European resolution against Syria in October but proposed its own resolution last month condemning violence by both the government and opposition.

Rogozin also weighed in on the heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, calling for calm amid saber-rattling over Iranian threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping lane.

"Iran is our neighbor ... If Iran is involved in any military action, it's a direct threat to our security," he said. "Once again, you need to have some cold mineral water and calm down."