Russia Hails Iran Anti-Terrorism Role, Rejects Its Pullout from Syria
Alwaght- Russian ambassador to Tel Aviv said on Monday calling on Iranian forces to quit Syria is "non-realistic" reiterating that “They are playing a very, very important role in our common and joint effort to eliminate terrorists in Syria."
Ambassador Anatoly Viktorov said Moscow rebuffed Israeli regime's long-standing demand on withdrawal of Iranian military advisors from Syria.
“They are playing a very, very important role in our common and joint effort to eliminate terrorists in Syria. That is why, for this period of time, we see as non-realistic any demands to expel any foreign troops from the entirety of the Syrian Arab Republic,” Viktorov told in an interview with Israel’s Channel 10 television.
“We can talk with our Iranian partners very frankly and openly, trying to persuade them to do or not to do something,” he said. But asked whether Russia can force Iran out, he answered: “We cannot.”
“The Iranian presence in Syria… is fully legitimate according to the UN principles and the UN charter,” he added.
The Russian diplomat added that Russia could equally do nothing to prevent Israeli regime's military strikes against military positions in Syria.
With Syrian government now in almost complete control of southwestern areas abutting the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Tel Aviv has spared no effort to prevent Tehran's military presence in the region.
Israeli regime has carried out scores of air strikes against Syrian army positions in a bid to hinder Syrian army's and its allies' advances in the militant-held Quneitra where has been a buffer zone for Tel Aviv.
Viktorov expressed disapproval of the attacks on Syria, but added: “We cannot dictate to Israel how to proceed ... It is not up to Russia to give Israel freedom to do anything, or to prohibit Israel to do anything.”
