Russia said on Sunday that military intervention in Syria would be a "tragic mistake" and wipe out the efforts to convene the Geneva II conference, in the midst of the US stepping up its involment in the Syrian crisis after allegations of chemical weapons use.
"[This] kind of decision will bring a deadlock to the Middle East, where the situation is already dangerous, and will wipe out the efforts to convene the Geneva II conference," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said in a statement released on the website of the foreign ministry.
He added, "We strongly urge those who, by attempting to impose their own results on the UN experts, are raising the possibility of a military operation in Syria to use their common sense and refrain from committing a tragic mistake."
US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Friday that, if claims of Syria using chemical weapons proved to be true, a speedy response would be needed to prevent another such attack.
Meanwhile the Syrian government agreed on Sunday to allow UN inspectors to visit Syria to investigate allegations of attacks.
Russia, a key ally of Syria, welcomed the decision. "This has been the result of our close work with Damascus," the Russian Spokesman Lukashevich said.
Lukashevich also called on all the sides who have an influence on the Syrian opposition to protect the UN inspectors during the investigation of the suspected sites.
- Obama finds diplomacy in Syria
Meanwhile, the US President Barack Obama discussed with French President Francois Hollande on Sunday a possible coordinated international response to the use of chemical weapons against civilians in Syria.
Speaking on the phone, the two leaders expressed grave concern about the use of chemical weapons against civilians by the forces of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad near Damascus, the White House said.
According to the statement, Obama and Hollande agreed to continue to consult closely. But no further details have been provided about the conversation.
Obama had also discussed “possible responses” over the phone with UK Prime Minister David Cameron on Saturday.
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