Russia calls on world powers to arm Syrian military

Source: The Guardian

Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov says president Bashar al-Assad’s forces are most efficient force against Islamic State

Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, has called on world powers to help arm the Syrian army, saying it was the most efficient force against Islamic State.

The US and Nato have raised concerns over Russia’s military buildup in Syria since they see the president, Bashar al-Assad, as the cause of the Syrian crisis, which has claimed more than 250,000 lives over four years. Moscow, meanwhile, has sought to cast arms supplies to Assad’s government as part of international efforts to combat Isis militants.

The increased Russian activity reflects Moscow’s concern that its longtime ally is on the brink of collapse, as well as hopes by the president, Vladimir Putin, that a common battle against Isis can improve Russia’s ties with the west, which have been strained over Ukraine.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/12/russia-calls-on-world-powers-to-arm-syrian-army