The BRICS nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — will not let the Libya scenario repeat in Syria, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
“The Libya scenario will not be repeated there [in Syria], if BRICS have their way,” he said at a joint press conference with visiting Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota in Moscow on Sunday.
The Russian Foreign Minister unveiled a BRICS initiative on Syria.
ADVERTISEMENT
The BRICS countries “propose that the Security Council firmly speak out against any violence in Syria, demand that all sides, the government and the opposition, respect human rights and engage in dialogue,” he said.
“One must not instigate certain forces inside the opposition to keep on rejecting offers of dialogue.
This amounts to inciting a replay of the Libya scenario.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Mr. Lavrov said the BRICS nations stand united on Libya.
“The position of BRICS has not changed: we stand for ending violence, ensuring the safety of the civilian population, guaranteeing human rights and observing international humanitarian standards.” The BRICS countries are not happy with the current situation in Libya.
“Unfortunately, we cannot feel satisfied with what is happening in Libya. The main goal set forth by the U.N. Security Council was to protect the civilian population. Civilians keep dying in large numbers and unfortunately there is no end in sight for this sad process.”
He said the reconciliation process should involve all political and ethnic forces.