Russia says arming foreign-backed militants fighting against the Syrian
government is in violation of international law.
“Arming the opposition is in breach of international law,” Russian Foreign Minister
Sergei Lavrov said at a joint press conference with his British counterpart William
Hague in London on Wednesday.
The conference was also attended by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu
and his British counterpart Philip Hammond.
“International law does not allow, does not permit supplies of arms
to non-governmental actors and in our point of view it is a violation
of international law,” Lavrov said.
The Russian foreign minister reiterated that it is only up to Syrians to
decide the future of their nation.
He also rejected any chance of Moscow pressuring Syrian President
Bashar al-Assad into stepping down.
Lavrov made the remarks one day after British Prime Minister David
Cameron said London would mull ignoring a European Union arms embargo
on Syria in order to pave the way for sending weapons to the militants fighting
against the government.
