Russia Criticizes Giving Arab Summit Seat to Syrian Opposition

March 27, 2013

Russia criticized the Arab League on Wednesday for giving a seat formerly held by Syria's government to a representative of the opposition to President Bashar Assad at a summit in Doha.

Opposition leader Moaz Alkhatib took Syria's vacant seat on Tuesday at the Arab summit, which also lent its support to giving military aid to the rebels fighting to oust Assad.

"In Doha, another anti-Syria step was taken," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"Developments at the Arab League summit in Doha and decisions taken there, regardless of objections by some member states, cause bewilderment to say the least."

Russia is Assad's most powerful ally and a long-time arms supplier to his government.

(Reuters)

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