Foreign Presence in Syria to Spark World War: Russia
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The Russian prime minister warned that the involvement of foreign troops in Syria could result in a “new world war" amid plans by Saudi Arabia and its allies to potentially deploy ground troops there.
Dmitry Medvedev made the remarks in an interview with the German Handelsblatt business daily..
He said all powers must sit at the negotiating table to forge an end to the conflict gripping Syria "instead of unleashing a new world war".
"The Americans and our Arabic partners must think hard about this: do they want a permanent war?" Medvedev asked, Press TV reported.
The Russian premier also noted that it would be impossible to win such a war quickly, particularly in the Arab world, “where everybody is fighting against everybody.”
The remarks came days after Saudi Arabia also expressed its readiness to deploy special forces to Syria if the US-led coalition allegedly hitting Daesh militants decides to deploy ground troops.
The United States welcomed the initiative, but Syria and Damascus’ allies criticized it.
Bahrain and the UAE also followed in Riyadh's footsteps and hinted their preparedness for similar deployments.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Russian prime minister stressed that the US and Russia must exert pressure on all sides to the conflict in order to secure a ceasefire in Syria.
