Russia strongly rejects plans for regime change in Syria

Speaking to the website of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society (IOPS) in Moscow on Monday, Lavrov said that certain forces who seek to oust the government in Damascus are either narrow-minded people or villains.

"The still hypocritical calls for regime change, including in Syria, after what happened to Iraq when Saddam Hussein was deposed, or in Libya, where Muammar Gaddafi was barbarously butchered, it seems to me, are made by the people who are at least narrow-minded, if not villains who simply enjoy or seek the destruction of countries and regions in the hope of getting their own benefit."

The remarks come as the US and its regional allies such as Saudi Arabia seek to oust Assad as part of a political transition in the violence-torn country.

The top Russian diplomat noted that the Daesh Takfiri terror group, which is wreaking havoc in several countries, especially in Iraq and Syria, has nothing to do with religion.

"We all understand that those who head and inspire this organization are not religious people," Lavrov said, adding, “These are people who are struggling for power, for territories.”

The Russian foreign minister went on to say that the US invasion and occupation of Iraq helped to create the Daesh terrorist group.

The backbone of Daesh's combat power is comprised of the Saddam-era generals who had been toppled by the Americans during the occupation of Iraq in 2003, he stressed.

"The US army dispersed the Iraqi army and security forces, thus leaving the people who know very well how to make war without any means of subsistence. Everybody understands this very well now."

Lavrov emphasized that Daesh terrorists have been committing crimes against all ethnic and religious communities across the Mideast and beyond.

Daesh terrorist group “does not limit itself to repressions against the Christians," Lavrov said, noting, "With equal frenzy they cut off Shias’ heads, desecrate and destroy both Christian and Shia shrines."

"Moreover, the Daesh members also apply special criteria to the Sunnis," he said, adding, "Not every Sunni is acceptable for Daesh with its ideology."

The Russian foreign minister said the Daesh terrorist group seeks to expand its terrorist activities “from Lisbon to Pakistan.”

Violence has plagued the northern and western parts of Iraq as well as large swathes of Syria ever since Daesh terrorists launched their offensive in the two neighboring countries.

The US and its allies have been carrying out airstrikes in Syria for more than a year now. Russia has also been conducting airstrikes on Daesh positions at the request of the Syrian government since September 30.

The United States has accused Russia of targeting “moderate” militants instead of Daesh terrorists. However, Russia has denounced the accusations as baseless, saying they are attacking both pro- and anti-Western terrorists wreaking havoc in Syria.

KD