Russia last night still opposed sanctions against Syria. The Russian ambassador to the UN, Churkin said in New York, the UN Security Council should observe the principle of non-interference. The conflict could be ended only through a dialogue, noted the Russian diplomat.
Churkin therefore invited representatives of the regime and the opposition together with those of the Arab League to talk directly in Moscow. The opposition Muslim Brotherhood were quick to reject the Russian offer for talks with the regime.
Earlier, the U.S. and France had asked the Security Council to act.
"Moscow is trying to prevent in Syria the same scenario of Libya and therefore threatens to veto the new draft resolution in the UN Security Council," wrote the "Moscow News" newspaper. One reason is the role of Russia in the region. Sources in Moscow explain that since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia has lost its influence in North Africa and the entire Arab world. After the coup in Libya Russia's only close allies remain Algeria and Syria. In addition, Russia is the second largest arms supplier in the world and Damascus is one of its core customers, Russian sources added.
