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Syrian Opposition Should Welcome Aleppo Offensive – Russia | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Russia’s Ambassador to the U.N. Alexey Borodavkin pauses during the Human Rights Council special session on the situation in Syria at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva June 1, 2012. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse


Russia's Ambassador to the U.N. Alexey Borodavkin pauses during the Human Rights Council special session on the situation in Syria at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva June 1, 2012. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Russia’s Ambassador to the U.N. Alexey Borodavkin pauses during the Human Rights Council special session on the situation in Syria at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva June 1, 2012. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

The Syrian opposition delegation that participated in the U.N.-mediated peace talks this week should have welcomed the Syrian government’s offensive around the city of Aleppo instead of leaving the talks, Reuters reported citing Russia’s ambassador in Geneva on Friday.

In an interview, Ambassador Alexey Borodavkin questioned the reasons behind the step taken by the opposition, saying: “Why did the opposition that left Geneva complain about the offensive in Aleppo, which is actually targeted against Jabhat al-Nusra and other radical extremist groups?”

“Jabhat al-Nusra is a terrorist organization recognized by the U.N. Security Council. It’s a branch of al Qaeda. The opposition should be happy that terrorists are defeated. But, on the contrary, they were disappointed and left negotiations,” he added.

Borodavkin said that the decision taken by U.N. mediator Staffan de Mistura to suspend the peace talks in Geneva on Wednesday was intensely deplorable, considering that he must be “more meticulous” about deciding whom to include.

The ambassador further hoped the next round could start before De Mistura’s proposed date of February 25.