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Russia says it will not stop arms sales to Syria | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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BEIRUT (AP) — Russia’s deputy defense minister says Moscow will not stop arms sales to Syria.

Russian state news agencies quoted Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov on Thursday as saying Russia is not violating any international obligations.

Moscow has stood by Syria, its long-standing ally, as the country tries to crush a 10-month-old uprising against President Bashar Assad. The U.N. estimates that more than 5,400 people have been killed the government crackdown.

U.N. ambassadors this week are trying to overcome Russia’s opposition to a draft resolution calling for Assad to surrender power. Moscow says it would veto the draft because it believes it opens the way for eventual international military action.