LOC11:53
08:53 GMT
(WITH POL-US-RUSSIA-SYRIA)
MOSCOW, Dec 16 (KUNA) -- Russia confirmed on Friday a Russian-Chinese draft
resolution had been put on the table for debate among member states of the
United Nations Security Council, stressing "criminal" acts in this country
must be punishable.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich described the draft
resolution, in a statement, as objective and balanced, urging both the Syrian
authorities and the opposition to stop the violence and hold dialogue on the
basis of the Arab League initiative."
The draft resolution condemns practices of the extremists who have been
roaming the Syrian regions, he said, stressing no one in Syria should be
exempted from punishment for "criminal and provocative practices."
The spokesman called for speedy dispatch of Arab observers to Syria to
assess the conditions and tackle unresolved issues concerning the Arab League
and Damascus.
He added that the draft resolution must not be understood as implying a
call for outside intervention in the country, warning that such a development
would deepen instability across the whole Middle East.
Moreover, he renewed support for the Arab League initiative on Syria, but
stopped short of addressing direct warnings to the Syrian leadership. He also
indicated that the current visit by the Syrian Vice President, Farouk
Al-Sharaa, was part of consultations, conducted by Moscow with both the
Damascus government and the opposition.
Moscow has been a close ally to Syria since the times of the defunct Soviet
empire. The Russians secure bulk of armament for the Syrian armed forces. (end)
as.rk
KUNA 161153 Dec 11NNNN