MOSCOW, (SANA)- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov strongly criticized the West for thwarting the international community's efforts to condemn the terrorist acts in Syria, expressing regret that the West accepts terrorist acts and refrain from condemning them when they go in line with its political considerations.

Lavrov 's criticism came during the ministerial meeting of the Organization of the Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) which kicked off in the Kazakh capital, Astana. Lavrov said "It is unacceptable to interfere in the crisis in Syria through supporting one side over the other," adding that it is also unacceptable to be indifferent towards the humanitarian tragedy in Syria.

He expressed wonder at the Western stance rejecting to express condemnation of the terrorist acts in Syria, reminding of the general principles of the UN Security Council which are based on showing immediate reaction against any acts of terrorism and strongly condemning them and stressing the Council's firm stance on the futility of terrorism regardless of any excuses.

The Russian Foreign Minister wondered why the Western countries backed down on this stance when a terrorist attack targeted the National Security building in Damascus which claimed the lives of a number of senior security officials.

Lavrov scoffed at the Western pretexts used to justify the non-condemnation of this terrorist bombing on the basis that 'the act was not a terrorist one as the victims were leaders of armed apparatuses that are combating the gunmen', considering this stance as 'baffling'.

He clarified that the Security Council principles stress that when an act is proved to have been planned and carried out as a terrorist act then it is considered a terrorist act definitely.

Lavrov said his country has suggested with regard to the recent events not only limiting the condemnation to the recent terrorist bombings in Aleppo which claimed tens of people but also the series of terrorist acts which took place on the same day in Iraq.

However, Lavrov added, Russia's Western partners demanded a pause seemingly for consultation with their capitals and eventually rejected showing any reaction, which he said indicates a change in the stances of some of the West's countries.

He clarified that when it comes to political considerations and interests from the West's point of view, then the terrorist acts are acceptable for them, adding he would be pleased if the Western partners would dispel these scruples, which otherwise would remain.

The Russian official considered that the crisis in Syria has become one of the world's most urgent issues, reiterating that there should not be support to any party at the expense of another and that the tragic events witnessed in Syria should not be regarded with indifference.

Lavrov stressed that all external players including member states in the CICA Organization should call upon all sides in Syria to halt violence immediately and ensure suitable atmosphere for the meeting of all the Syrians but not the mercenaries at the dialogue table away from foreign interference for discussing means of achieving the national reconciliation.

He stressed that this achievement should be based on unanimously agreed bases represented in the Security Council's resolutions and the UN six-point plan of Kofi Annan, in addition to the Geneva statement.

Lavrov renewed Russia's support for the efforts of the UN new envoy to Syria Lakhdar Ibrahimi that are based on the aforementioned documents, clarifying that the crisis in Syria is part of the unremitting tragic developments in the Middle East which have undermined stability in many countries, noting that the most dangerous thing is that these developments are being exploited for stirring sectarian and ethnic confrontations.

Lavrov called for not using the current events in the region for undermining the negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis on the basis of the international rules.

On the Iranian nuclear file, the Russian Foreign Minister expressed hope that the International Atomic Energy Agency will adopt the Russia-China initiative on Iran which includes means that leads to settling the issue through negotiations. 

Lukashevich: Efforts of Quartet Communication Group on Syria May Help Resolve Crisis

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said that Moscow welcomes the efforts of the quartet communication group on Syria which consists of Egypt, Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, adding that Moscow believes that this group might contribute to the international efforts to resolve the crisis in Syria.

In a statement's to Russia's Interfax news agency, Lukashevich said that Moscow has been watching with great interest the first meeting of the communication group, noting that any efforts for ending violence in Syria through political means are welcome, particularly from these countries.

He said that Russia hopes that cooperation between these four countries will help tangibly in the international community's efforts to find a political solution to the crisis in Syria and that they will help ensure the success of the mission of UN Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Ibrahimi.

 Lukashevich also pointed out that the communication group's principles match in essence the main articles of the Geneva document issued by the work group on Syria on June 30th, primarily in regards to ending violence, rejecting foreign interference and use of force, and launching a political process encompassing the entire Syrian society.

Gatilov: Double-Standard Approach of UNSC Countries, Which Rejected to Condemn Terrorist Acts in Syria

For his part, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said "The West which rejected to condemn the terrorist acts in Syria at the UN Security Council is adopting double-standard approach in evaluating terrorist acts."

He added that "This approach means that there are bad terrorists that should be condemned and other terrorists that the international community can ignore their acts."

Russia: Some UNSC Members Ignore Terrorism, Encourage Violence in Syria

Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations said that Moscow was not successful in pushing the UN Security Council (UNSC) to adopt a draft statement condemning the terrorist attacks in Aleppo city.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the mission added that the stances of some UNSC members ignore terrorism and encourage the escalation of violence in Syria.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the terrorist bombings which took place in Aleppo, calling on foreign sides to exert pressure on the armed opposition to stop the terrorist attacks that claim the lives of innocent people.

English Bulletin