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Moscow Warns of Growing Extremist Influence in Syria.. Sharp Criticism at Security Council
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Russia's efforts to issue a statement from the Security Council reflect a diplomatic strategy aimed at restoring Moscow's influence on the course of events in Syria after losing its traditional ally
Reuters revealed that Russia launched a diplomatic attack on the leadership of the Syrian interim caretaker government during a closed session held at the UN Security Council last Monday, according to sources familiar with the proceedings of the meeting.
The agency quoted two senior sources saying that Moscow directed scathing criticism at the new authorities in Syria, warning of the growing influence of extremist groups in the country.
The same sources indicated that the Russian side compared the sectarian targeting operations that Alawites have been subjected to with the genocide massacres witnessed in Rwanda, in a notable escalation of the Russian tone.
Russia's comments in the closed meeting reflect its strategic approach aimed at restoring its influence and impact on the course of events in the Syrian arena. A diplomatic source reported that the Russian permanent representative stated during the closed session that no one has made real efforts to stop the acts of violence in Syria.
In response to the leak comparing violence in Syria to the Rwandan genocide, the Russian delegate commented: "I say what I want in closed consultations based on them being closed consultations and nothing is supposed to come out of them."
Informed sources revealed that the Russian delegate strongly criticized the decision to dissolve the Syrian army and the significant reduction in public sector workforce numbers, warning of the possibility of repeating the Iraqi scenario in Syria.
Sources explained that Russian diplomacy considered the steps of the Syrian interim transitional president and his government to have established a corrupt basis for political transition after decades of Assad family rule.
Moscow expressed its deep concerns about the destructive role played by foreign fighters classified as terrorists on Syrian territory.
Reuters reported that representatives of the United States, France, and China also confirmed during the closed briefing their concern regarding the presence of foreign fighters in Syria, and about the course of political transition in the country.
Intensive consultations are currently taking place within the corridors of the Security Council regarding drafting a statement condemning the violence in Syria, expressing concern about its impact on escalating tensions between Syrian societal components, and calling on the transitional authorities to protect all Syrians regardless of their ethnic or religious affiliations.
The Russian permanent representative to the United Nations told Reuters: "We hope that the Security Council will soon reach an agreement on a statement addressing the situation in Syria."
