BREAKING NEWS

Russia says neither side will win Syrian civil war

By REUTERS

DECEMBER 22, 2012 15:44

MOSCOW - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that neither side would win the civil war in Syria, and that China and Russia would be unable to persuade President Bashar Assad to quit if they tried.

Russia has been rowing back after the Kremlin's Middle East envoy was quoted as saying earlier this month that the rebels could defeat Assad's government and that Russia was preparing for a possible evacuation of its nationals, the strongest signs yet that Russia is positioning itself for a post-Assad Syria.

"Listen, no one is going to win this war," Lavrov told reporters aboard a government plane en route to Moscow from the Russia-EU summit in Brussels. "Assad is not going anywhere, no matter what anyone says, be it China or Russia," he added.

Lavrov repeated that Russia had rejected requests from countries in the region to pressure Assad to go or offer him safe haven, and that his exit might lead to an upsurge in fighting.

North Koreans discuss trade on rare visit to Iran

By REUTERS

04/29/2024 02:25 PM

MK Benny Gantz injures foot while riding bike

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

04/29/2024 01:58 PM

Floods kill at least 42 in Kenya's Mai Mahiu area

By REUTERS

04/29/2024 11:55 AM

Gaza negotiations progressing but we remain prudent, says French FM

By REUTERS

04/29/2024 10:17 AM