Russia, Iran: Resolve Syria crisis without "external interference"

Feb 22, 2012, 21:05 GMT

Moscow - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called Wednesday for a speedy resolution of the crisis in Syria 'without external interference.'

During a phone call, the two leaders emphasized the need to end the violence in Syria and called for a constructive dialogue between the Damascus regime and the opposition to begin without any preconditions, according to the Russian president's press service.

The leaders of Russia and Iran, both Syrian allies, said that the 'main task now ... is to prevent a civil war in the country that can destabilize the whole region.'

Medvedev also spoke Wednesday with King Abdullah bin Abdel Aziz of Saudi Arabia and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

King Abdullah said Russia should have consulted Arab countries before vetoing a resolution on Syria in the United Nations Security Council. China also vetoed the February 4 resolution condemning the Syrian regime.

Russia has long opposed international efforts to condemn the government of President Bashar al-Assad, saying it would be a step toward a Libya-style military intervention to force regime change.

In their discussion, Medvedev and al-Maliki said economic sanctions against Syria 'would be counterproductive and would only exacerbate social and economic problems for the Syrian people,' according to the presidential press service.

Russia on Tuesday said it would not take part in a meeting of Western and Arab countries pushing for regime change in Syria, but did want to see the United Nations step in to resolve the humanitarian situation.

The Friends of Syria conference is scheduled to be held Friday in Tunisia. Representatives of the government in Damascus have not been invited.

The conference, launched by France and the United States, aims to secure international support for an Arab League bid to exert pressure on Syria to end its crackdown on protesters.

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