WMD issue in Syria cannot be used in geopolitical games: Russia

Source : Xinhua

MOSCOW, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Syria is an issue not to be used for geopolitical purpose, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.

"There are countries and external players who believe that all methods are good for overthrowing the Syrian regime. However, the issue of the use of weapons of mass destruction is too serious an we can't joke with it," Lavrov told reporters at a press conference.

Russia saw it "unacceptable" to use the WMD issue as a pretext of pursuing certain geopolitical interests, the diplomat said.

"I believe it is unacceptable to use it and speculate on it," he added.

U.S. officials said on Friday that they suspected the use of the deadly agent sarin in small-scale attacks in Syria. President Barack Obama warned Syria that using chemical weapons would be a "game changer." He also promised a "vigorous" U.S. and international probe into the latest reports.

Syria has denied the accusation. Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi told Russian television Saturday that the U.S. and British accusations are a "barefaced lie."

Zoubi said Friday that Damascus would agree if inspections of the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria are conducted by Russian experts.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday that the UN team was ready to be deployed in 24-48 hours to investigate the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria.

According to Zoubi, the chemical shelling in the town of Khan al-Asal near Aleppo was fired by terrorists based near the Turkish border and the ammunition could be shipped from Turkey.

Editor: Hou Q