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Russia opposes introduction of no-fly zone in Syria

06 July 2012 21:47 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. The introduction of a no-fly zone in Syria was a "counter-productive" and "unilateral" step, Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said Friday,APA reports quoting Xinhua.

"We repeatedly pointed out at the counter-productiveness of various unilateral steps, such like proposals about the creation of the humanitarian corridors and safety zones," Gatilov told reporters here.

"These ideas have not been supported by the international humanitarian organizations working in Syria. These dubious ideas are not needed," he said.

The diplomat stressed that the UN Security Council did not make the decision on the imposing of a no-fly zone over Syria and was unlikely to agree with the idea, "especially after what had happened in Libya."

The no-fly zone in Libya "had been introduced in contradiction to the UN resolutions and it was actively used by the NATO countries and some of their allies to support one of the sides in the conflict," Gatilov said.

He added that the no-fly zone in Libya resulted in heavy damage to the country’s infrastructure and civilian casualties.

"It is the time not for urging the introduction of the no-fly zone, but for actively implementing the declaration adopted at the Geneva meeting on June 30, which envisages the immediate stop of violence by all parties and the launch of a comprehensive political process," Gatilov said.

On Friday, the West-led Friends of Syria group has called in Paris the introduction of a no-fly zone in the crisis-torn country.