Source: AL ARABIYA WITH AGENCIES

3 September 2012

As violence continued in Syria Monday, Russia, a strong ally to Syria, issued a strongly worded statement expressing its “deep concern” at a warning that Syrian rebels plan to target civilian airports in Damascus and Aleppo from Tuesday.

“In Moscow we have seen with deep concern the statements distributed in the media by representatives of the so-called Free Syria Army that international civilian airports of Damascus and Aleppo are from now on seen as military targets,” the Russian foreign ministry on Monday said in a statement.

State-owned RIA Novosti news agency on Friday reported on a rebel statement cited by London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper saying Damascus and Aleppo airports and commercial flights would be targeted from Tuesday because they were being used for military aviation.

“We consider such threats absolutely unacceptable,” the Russian foreign ministry said.

“From a moral and legal point of view this means the opposition’s critical proximity to a red line, beyond which are acts that are no different from the crimes of Al-Qaeda.”

“The most recent statement by the Free Syria Army essentially confirms that terrorism is turning into one of its main methods of activity,” the ministry added.

Russia called for “taking action on the leaders of the Free Syria Army in the most decisive manner to excluse such threats, not to mention their being carried out,” and reiterated calls for Russians to avoid travel to Syria.

Commenting on the story, Ribal Al-Assad, Director of the ODFS, said:

“I condemn the Free Syrian Army’s reported statement that it sees the international civilian airports of Damascus and Aleppo as military targets. Terrorism is completely unacceptable irrespective of whichever side is perpetrating it. A de-escalation of the violence is needed and not an intensification.There is no military solution to this conflict. A diplomatic solution based on the conditions set out in the Kofi Annan Plan is the only way forward.

“If an all out civil war leading in Syria and the region is to be avoided then all parties- the regime, the opposition and their outside backers must act in good faith and support diplomacy to bring about a peaceful end to the crisis. This is the only way to start a political process leading to a peaceful inclusive democratic transition to a national unity government and democracy and freedom.

“I call on all the Syrian opposition to unite onto one platform and work together for a peaceful solution as a continuation of the violence could lead to the fragmentation of Syria and its society, where everyone will lose out.”