Russia criticizes U.S. for encouraging Syrian opposition to topple Assad regime
MOSCOW. Nov 2 (Interfax) - The U.S. proposal on setting up an opposition Syrian government in exile encourages the opposition to continue its efforts to topple the Bashar al-Assad regime, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said.
"The U.S. has declared that it will be continuing its efforts to put pressure on the Syrian government, including through toughening its sanctions. Direct instructions have been given to the Syrian opposition as to what it should do to form a government in exile and who should join such a government, including particular candidates," Lukashevich said in a statement published on the ministry website on Friday.
"This in fact encourages the opposition to continue its uncompromising line toward overthrowing the regime in Damascus," he said.