Military operations against Iran, Syria dismissed

MOSCOW - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday dismissed military operations against Iran and Syria as being in violation of international laws.

"None denied a key provision of international laws - a decision to use force against a sovereign state should be taken only by the UN Security Council," Lavrov said in an interview with the Rossiiskaya Gazeta newspaper.

"I truly hope that the international community will be wise enough not to allow such a scenario to happen," he said.    

With regards to the Syrian crisis, Lavrov warned that the international community should avoid using the stereotype of "the Libyan experience" as approaches towards the issue.

The only possible settlement to the Syrian crisis should be based on a comprehensive dialogue between the authorities and the opposition without any outside interventions, Lavrov said, noting that Russia is not defending the Syrian regime but justice.

"As for Russia's approaches towards the events in Syria, we don 't defend the regime, but justice, the right of the Syrian people to make a peaceful democratic choice in full compliance with the UN Charter and the norms of international law," Lavrov said.

Earlier on Thursday, Russia and China voted against a United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on Syria which lopsidedly condemns the Syrian authorities.