Russia ready to back UN over Syria

Russia is ready to support a UN resolution endorsing Kofi Annan’s plan for settling the Syrian crisis, signalling it is prepared to put pressure on its old ally.

Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov yesterday warned the resolution shouldn’t turn into an ultimatum to Syria, setting the stage for tough bargaining over the wording of the document at the United Nations Security Council.

But Mr Lavrov appeared to indicate Russia’s growing impatience with president Bashar al-Assad, whose government he said made “many mistakes” that has worsened the conflict.

Russia and China have twice shielded Mr Assad’s regime from UN sanctions over its year-long crackdown on protesters, in which more than 8,000 people have died. But the Kremlin has also offered strong support to Mr Annan, the former UN secretary-general who is the joint UN and Arab League special envoy.

Mr Annan met Mr Assad twice this month and made undisclosed proposals to end the bloodshed. Mr Lavrov said Mr Annan’s proposals should now be unveiled, adding that Moscow is ready to back a UN Security Council resolution in support.

“The Security Council should support them, not as an ultimatum but as a basis for the continuing efforts by Kofi Annan aimed at reaching accord among all Syrians, the government and all opposition groups on all key issues, such as humanitarian corridors, halting hostilities by all parties, the beginning of a political dialogue and offering access to the media,” said Mr Lavrov.

In a radio interview last night, he added: “We think the Syrian leadership reacted wrongly to the first peaceful protests and makes very many mistakes, despite the numerous promises made in response to our appeals. And the positive steps are taken too late. Unfortunately, this is why the conflict has become so acute.”