Lavrov Condemns Suspension of Arab Observer Mission in Syria

Russia on Sunday slammed a decision to suspend the Arab League's observer mission in Syria after a deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters.

"We would like to know why they are treating such a useful instrument in this way," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on a visit to Brunei, cited by the Russian ITAR-TASS news agency.

"I would support an increased number of observers," Lavrov said.

"We are surprised that after a decision was taken on prolonging the observers' mission for another month, some countries, particularly Persian Gulf countries, recalled their observers from the mission."

The Arab League suspended its observer mission on Saturday as the bloodshed in a crackdown on anti-regime protests spiked and the death toll in four days topped 210.

Lavrov said that he did not back those Western countries that said the mission was pointless and that it was impossible to hold dialogue with Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime.

"I think these are very irresponsible statements because trying to sabotage a chance to calm the situation is absolutely unforgivable," he said, cited by the Interfax news agency.

Russia has refused to support a proposed European-Arab U.N. resolution on the Syria crisis that gives strong backing to an Arab League plan calling on Assad to go.

Moscow still enjoys close trade ties with its Soviet-era ally, signing a new military jet delivery contract with Damascus this month and still leasing one of its ports for its navy.

Russia has proposed its own draft resolution that assigns equal blame for the violence on both Assad and the opposition, an option dismissed by the West.

The opposition Syrian National Council has called for the Syrian diaspora to protest Sunday outside Russian diplomatic missions against Moscow's opposition to the draft resolution.