support for Assad in Syria

Vladimir Putin vows to continue support for Assad government in Syria

Russian president Vladimir Putin has promised to continue military support of the Assad government in Syria and urged other countries to follow suit.

In recent days the US and several European nations have voiced concerns over reports Russia has been escalating its military support for the Syrian government.

Mr Putin said other countries should supply military and technical assistance for the Assad government in Syria.

But Mr Putin said other countries should supply military and technical assistance to Syria, as only its government's forces can defeat Islamic State militants.

He also said the influx of Syrian refugees into Europe would have been much worse if it was not for Russian support for the Assad regime.

Russia already has a naval base in Syria and US officials say there are signs it is planning an airbase as well.

According to the Pentagon, there has been a steady flow of people and equipment at the airfield near the port city of Latakia, on the country's coast, over the past week.

Earlier this month, the New York Times reported Russia sent a military advance team to Syria and transported a number of prefabricated housing units and a portable air traffic control station to a Syrian airfield.

But a spokesman for the Pentagon said there was no sign of any fighter planes or helicopters being moved in.

State department spokesman John Kirby said the Russian move would not help solve the conflict in Syria.

"It certainly appears as though they are continuing to support the Assad regime," he said.

"What we would like to see is movement towards a political transition in Syria, and we still believe there's an opportunity to pursue that kind of transition in concert with Russian authorities."

A recent statement from the Kremlin said Mr Putin was, however, "open to dialogue" and a meeting with his US counterpart Barack Obama when he visits the United Nations headquarters later this month.

"President Putin is always open to dialogue, especially with his colleague President Obama," Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said, adding that no such meeting had yet been agreed.

"There is a will [for dialogue] on Russia's part and this will remain."

The US and its western allies vigorously oppose the government of Bashar al-Assad and say that backing him risks prolonging the conflict.





















origina post found herhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-16/putin-to-continue-support-for-assad-regime-in-syria/6779080