Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya has called on the United States and other Western countries looking at a possible strike on Syria to think twice and stop driving the world to a red line, TASS reports.
"The situation is developing under a dangerous scenario, which is fraught with serious consequences to global security. In such an event, the entire responsibility will rest on the United States and its allies," he said. "We call on the leaders of these states to wise us, get back to the frames of international law and stop driving the world to a red line."
The Russian diplomat warned that negative developments around Syria are "fraught with global consequences."
The United States, in his words, has embarked on a path of unfolding a military scenario in Syria. "It is inadmissible," he underscored.
Russia has information that leaders of armed groups in Syria have been ordered to launch an offensive at the government troops’ positions as soon as the United States and its allies deliver airstrike on that country, he went on.
"Who is going to benefit from a possible airstrike on the Syrian military who carry the bulk of the burden of fighting terrorism and who have achieved serious victories on this track? We know it for sure that leaders of Syrian armed groups have been ordered to launch an offensive after a possible strike," he said.
The United Nations Security Council met on Friday for an extraordinary session to discuss the situation in the Middle East amid the US’ threats of an airstrike on Syria following reports about alleged chemical attack in the city of Douma on April 7.
The Russian diplomat stressed that there were no "reliable evidence" of any chemical attack. "Our specialists found no traces of the use of toxic agents. Douma’s residents know nothing about the attack. All information about the alleged attack comes from anti-government forces that are interested in such development of the situation," Nebenzya said, adding that Russia has evidence indicating that "it was a provocation involving secret services of a number of countries."