Russia Again Warns Against Foreign Military Intervention In Syria

The Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, has again warned against unilateral action in Syria by the international community on the heels of a report that U.S. President Barack Obama said he would consider military intervention if it was revealed that the Damascus regime used its alleged stockpile of chemical weapons against opponents.

After talks with Chinese diplomat Dai Bingguo and a delegation of Syrians on Tuesday in Moscow, Lavrov declared that foreign countries must "strictly adhere to the norms of international law and the principles contained in the UN Charter, and not to allow their violation,” with respect to Syria.

"I think this is the only correct path in today's conditions," he added.

Russia and China have repeatedly rejected moves by the United Nations Security Council to pressure Bashar al-Assad and his regime into ending the brutal crackdown on rebels.

Syria’s Deputy Prime Minister Qadri Jamil, who also met with Lavrov, said that foreign interference is "hindering efforts for Syrians themselves to resolve this problem.”

At least 18,000 people have died in the Syrian conflict since March of last year.