Putin likens Syria to Libya in event of invasion

Moscow, Dec 21 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his opposition to military intervention in Syria, saying the present situation in Libya was a sign of what would likely happen in Syria as a result.

Libya “is disintegrating”, Putin said at a press conference, pointing to fractious groups that have been struggling for control of the country since long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was ousted with NATO’s help last year. Gaddafi was later killed by rebel forces.

And Russia, in turn, is trying to prevent “disintegration and unending civil war” in Syria, he said.

“Interethnic, inter-clan, inter-tribal conflicts are continuing (in Libya). Moreover, it’s come to a tragedy, the murder of a US ambassador. Was this the result of the work?” Putin said about foreign intervention in Libya.

“You’ve asked me about (my) mistakes, but wasn’t this a mistake? And do you want us to go on constantly repeating these mistakes in other countries?” Putin said.

Putin emphasised that Russia does not care about “the fate of the regime” of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad per se and understands that change is necessary, but negotiations should be the way to regime change, without armed intervention.

Assad’s regime has been locked in a bloody battle with an increasingly motley group of insurgents since March 2011.

“Agreements on the basis of a military victory are inappropriate here and cannot be effective,” Putin said.

Russia has staunchly opposed all international efforts to crack down on Assad, including in the UN Security Council, saying they are biased in favour of the Syrian opposition.

Asked whether Moscow’s hardline stance on Syria could isolate Russia and undermine its position in the Middle East, Putin snapped: “Listen, my dear, did Russia’s position in Libya not get weaker after the mess the interventionists made there?”

“Of course, we’re interested in the Russian Federation’s position in the region,” Putin said, but added that Moscow does not have major interests in Syria.

Russia keeps an ageing naval supply base in the country, its last remaining overseas base.

—IANS/RIA Novosti

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IANS 2012-12-21 08:04:05