Russia tells west to 'back off'

RUSSIA'S foreign ministry has said that it does not support western calls for President Bashar al-Assad to resign, warning the West against encouraging the Syrian opposition.

Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said Russia believes Mr Assad must be given sufficient time to fulfil promises of reform as he has already made "some significant steps" - including lifting the state of emergency and issuing a decree allowing peaceful demonstrations.

He said that Syria's destabilisation "would have the gravest consequences for the entire region".