By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow: The Arab League’s decision to allow its members to supply Syrian opposition forces with weapons has broken international laws, the Russian foreign ministry has said.
“As far as international law is concerned, the League’s decisions on Syria are illegal and baseless, because the government of the Syrian Arab Republic remains a legitimate representative of this UN member state,” the ministry said in a statement.
The decision also contradicts the “general principles” of the Geneva Communique, proposing to establish a transitional Syrian government that would comprise both the Syrian authorities and opposition forces.
It was adopted by foreign ministers from the UN Security Council permanent member states and countries neighboring Syria June 30, 2012.
The ministry said the Arab League “openly encourages forces that still favour a military solution in Syria and turn a blind eye to the pain and suffering of the Syrian people”.
The 24th Arab League summit ended in Qatar capital Doha Tuesday. Syria was represented by the Western-backed opposition Syrian National Coalition.
In 2011, the Arab League suspended the membership of Bashar al-Assad’s regime as punishment for violence against opposition forces.