Russia: No talks on Syria's future without Assad

Dutch Amnesty International activists call for an end to violence in Syria - and an end to Russian President Vladimir Putin's support of the Syrian regime - in front of the Russian embassy in the Hague, June 14, 2012. / LEX VAN LIESHOUT/AFP/Getty Images

(CBS/AP) MOSCOW - Russia's foreign minister said Friday that Moscow isn't discussing Syria's future without President Bashar Assad, as Washington has claimed.

Sergey Lavrov denied Thursday's statement by State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland that Moscow and Washington "are continuing to talk about a post-Assad transition strategy."

Lavrov told a news conference following talks with his Iraqi counterpart that Russia believes it's up to the Syrians to determine their country's future and that foreign players shouldn't meddle in that.

"It's not true that we are discussing Syria's fate after Bashar Assad," Lavrov said. "We aren't dealing with a regime change either through approving unilateral actions at the United Nations Security Council nor through taking part in some political conspiracies."

He argued that an international conference on Syria that Russia has proposed should focus on persuading the Syrian parties to sit down for talks. He says that Russia is opposing any attempts to use the conference to predetermine Syria's future.

"This meeting should be aimed at mobilizing resources that foreign players have to create conditions needed to start an all-Syrian political process, not to predetermine its direction."

He warned against using the conference to "justify any future unilateral actions."

Russia, along with China, has twice shielded Syria (its last remaining ally in the Arab world) from international sanctions over Assad's violent crackdown on protests that have left 13,000 people dead according to opposition groups.

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U.N. official: Spike in violence derailing Observer's mission

The head of the U.N. observers in Syria said Friday a spike in violence is derailing the monitoring mission, which is the only functioning part of an international peace plan to calm the country's spiraling crisis.

Maj. Gen. Robert Mood blamed both sides of the conflict for the escalating bloodshed.

"Violence over the past 10 days has been intensifying willingly by the both parties, with losses on both sides and significant risks to our observers," Mood told reporters in Damascus.

An image grab taken from AFP video shot on June 14, 2012 shows a team of United Nations observers heading to the Syrian town of al-Haffe, in the Mediterranean province of Latakia with an official Syrian security escort, a day after Syrian authorities said the area had been "cleansed" of rebel fighters. The U.N. monitors found it all but deserted, with several state buildings burned to the ground.

/ AFP/Getty Images

He said the mission was established as the "factual voice" on the ground "but the escalating violence is now limiting our ability to observe, verify, report as well as assist in local dialogue and stability projects."

Mood's comments were the clearest sign yet that a peace plan brokered by international envoy Kofi Annan two months ago is disintegrating. The regime and the opposition both have ignored a truce that was supposed to go into effect April 12.

Mood said there appears to be a lack of willingness to seek a peaceful transition. "Instead there is a push towards advancing military positions," he said.

Driving through Syria's unofficial civil war
Rebels battle Syrian forces in Damascus
United Nations observers enter "cleansed" Syrian town of Haffa
Syria claims it has retaken key rebel village

On Friday, the Syrian regime kept up a ferocious offensive on rebel areas around the country in one of the most serious escalations in violence since Annan brokered the truce.

An activist in the northern city of Aleppo said troops backed by helicopters and tanks were engaged in "raging battles" in the rebel-held town of Anadan and several other locations in the province.

Syrian troops have been sweeping through villages and towns in Syria's northern, central, southern and seaside provinces this week.

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[domenico_nl]

I'm wondering who that guy is with the sunglasses. Is he a famous rock or movie star? That guy from Entourage maybe?

[fiddlestickawshucks]

Apparently Russia and China have some say somewhere that prevents the rest of the world from taking action against Assad in Syria.

We need to find this group and toss Russia and China out on their ears.

Instead of requiring a 100% agreement on Syria; change the rules to "majority rules".


Every day Putin is in charge; Russia is being moved closer and closer to becoming a Communist country again.

If Russia and China think for one minute that Assad is going to come "anywhere" to discuss the situation in Syria; well; I'd like to have some of what they're on.

It boggles my mind that the rest of the countries are allowing one Communist country and another country well on its way to returning to Communism to dictate them.

Russia wants no interference in the situation from anybody outside of Syria; yet they are "secretly" supplying Assad with weapons of war.

Just more of the same old BS.!!

Don't do as I do; do as I say.!!

Tell them to "F" off if they are only going to become obstructionist
on every vote.

[lesserof2evil]

You reap what you sowed buddy. How many times the US has vetoed UN resolutions for its own interest? Or do you believe that it is our birth right that the rest of the world should follow the US orders without questions?

[NinthSt78]

"Nyet" might get as solid as ice in Siberia. Boris was nicer and smiled more.

[GeorgeKafantaris]

Why exactly do we expect Russia to act differently than it has on Syria? Can we not see that Syria is a microcosm of Russia? For decades a strong ruler has governed both countries -- effectively denying citizens a say so in their government. If Russia helps fix this in Syria, it might have to fix it next at home.
Why would Putin want to do that at when Syria has become a diversion at home where he needs to play up Russia's strength in the world? Better to stick with the old script and keep on raiding the offices of political opponents or drumming up bogus charges against businessmen.
Forget Russia then. When the ground begins to shake below your feet, you stick with your friends.
Though the steamroller of the Information Age is getting closer and closer to their nose, the Putins, the al-Assads and the Ayatollahs of this world are too drunk with power to get out of the way.

[audemus]

I realize there are sociopolitical reasons for the world and the United States in particular, not to interfere in Syria...but there comes a time when humanity itself can no longer look the other way. A milti-lateral response is what now must happen , with not only the goal of protecting the Syrian people, but of ousting Assad as well.

Though their view-points are to be acknowledged, Russia does not determine U.S. foreign policy.

[alinrodneyvil]

Isn't it funny that Israel has been silent on all of this turmoil right next door to it. I suspect that they would prefer that Assad remain in power rather than run the risk of some radical Islamic group take over and try to drive Israel off the Golan Heights.This could explain in some measure why the U.S. hasn't been more active in aiding the opposition. When it comes to the Middle East, the U.S. cannot do anything without Israel's approval.

[lesserof2evil]

you mean Israel's permission.

[wfw3536]

Obama gave up the defense system in Poland that was planned to be installed to the Russians for nothing, and now they are showing Obama the bottom of their foot. Obama is out of his league when dealing with Putin.

[sjc_1]

I do not know how anyone can support Assad after his speech the other day saying he did not do it and how horrible it was.
It reminded me of Saddam in 1991 calling hostages "guests", that takes a really sick mind.

[Jesus_to_ground_control]

Like if Russia ruled the world.

[pleiku10]

Its time to tell Putin to take a hike! Obama needs to grow a pair and put a carrier group off the coast of Syria and let Assad know he needs to quarter his troops and park his tanks- enough is enough!

[alinrodneyvil]

What a ******* idea.