Jumblat from Moscow: Russia Must Understand Syrian People’s Demands
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat stressed on Thursday the importance of reaching a political solution to the Syrian crisis, adding that the Arab League deal is the only solution available, reported the Russian news agency Novosti.
“I discussed importance of a political solution according to the Arab League plan”, Jumblat said to LBC television later Thursday night, adding that “ I know that we have entered into violence and counter violence in Syria, But Russia has to condemn the Syrian regime for the violence because it was the initiator.”
He stressed the need to have an common American, Russian, Iranian, Turkish and Arab position for a solution to the Syrian crisis, adding that he is not authorized by the Syrian opposition to talk on its behalf.”
He said after holding talks in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov: “Russia must understand the demands of the Syrian people.”
He warned that any alternative to the Arab deal will lead to further escalation and possibly foreign intervention.
Foreign intervention is rejected by all concerned sides, said the MP, who traveled to Russia on Wednesday.
Jumblat added that Russia has cooperated with Syria in several fields, noting however that “Russia, as a friendly state, must understand the rightful demands of the people.”
“I hope that Russia will side with the voice of the rightful people,” said the Druze leader.
Earlier this week, the MP called on Russia to “launch a political initiative together with the countries concerned in order to pull Syria out of its crisis.”
Russia has blocked western attempts to have the United Nations Security Council formally condemn Syrian President Bashar Assad’s crackdown against anti-regime protests and impose stiff sanctions if he refuses to enter direct talks.
The U.N. estimates that more than 5,400 people have been killed in the demonstrations that began in March 2011.
Source: Naharnet
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