Russia backs policy of isolating Lebanon from Syria crisis

Moscow backs the policy of isolating Lebanon from developments in neighboring Syria, Russian Ambassador to Beirut Alexander Zasypkin told a pan-Arab daily.

“As a matter of principle we back isolating the situation in Lebanon from events in Syria as much as is possible,” Zasypkin told the London-based Al-Hayat newspaper in an interview published Saturday.

“It is not in the interest of any internal or external party to destabilize the situation in Lebanon and we call for joint efforts to bolster stability in Lebanon,” Zasypkin added.

Rival Lebanese parties remain divided on the crisis in Syria: the March 14 coalition, led by former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, condemning the crackdown on protesters by Damascus while the March 8 alliance, led by Hezbollah, echoing Damascus’ version of unrest in the country, namely that “armed gangs” backed by foreign parties aim to topple the Syrian leadership.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who heads a March 8 majority Cabinet, has repeatedly stressed the need for Lebanon to remain neutral on the crisis in Syria, now 10 months old.

In the interview, which focused primarily on Russia’s stance toward the situation in Syria, Zasypkin urged Syria to cooperate with monitors as part of an Arab League initiative to end the violence in the country.

“We advise Syrian authorities to act positively and advise that there be good and continuous coordination with the Arab League,” Zasypkin said.

The Russian envoy, who said Moscow was not for the removal Syrian President Bashar Assad but a “political compromise,” also urged the Syrian opposition to end its boycott of dialogue with Damascus.

“Good will is required from both the Syrian government and the opposition and all relevant external parties,” he said.

Zasypkin also said Russia had expressed its readiness to send its own monitors should Syria and the Arab League request it.

“We have stated our readiness to send monitors in the event this was agreed by the relevant parties. I think by relevant parties here I mean the Arab League in agreement with the Syrian side,” the Russian diplomat said.

Zasypkin also criticized the West in its approach to the crisis in Syria and said that whereas the West sought to blame one party for the violence, Russia sought a fairer approach by seeking to curb violence by all parties.

“We denounce in the gravest terms the violence by all sides. It appears that our partners in the West have unbalanced stances on this matter: they want to pressure only one side and that side is the Syrian regime. On the other hand, we want to have an impact on all sources of violence,” Zasypkin said.