MOSCOW, October 20 (RIA Novosti) – Russia was taking into account the Libyan experience when vetoing a UN resolution on Syria, fearing the repetition of foreign military intervention, former Soviet Ambassador to Libya and Head of Russian Diplomats' Association Pogos Akopov said at a round table discussion hosted by the Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency Monday.
Back in March 2011, Russia did not use its veto power in the UN Security Council to block the intervention in Libya, which was launched under the pretext of protecting civilians there.
"Having refrained from voting on the [UN] resolution on Libya, we had no idea the airstrikes on the country would be conducted. But once the weapon was used, we condemned it and toughened our stance. Taking this experience into account, we have taken the appropriate stance on Syria," Akopov said at the round table dedicated to the third anniversary of the death of Muammar Gaddafi.
Russia and China vetoed a UN resolution on Syria, backed by the West, on July 19, 2013 over fears that it would lead to foreign military intervention in the Middle Eastern country.
The resolution was tied to Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which would have provided for the use of force to put an end to the rapidly escalating conflict in Syria.
A number of Western countries have been trying to persuade Moscow to support a resolution, effectively authorizing a military operation, but Russia has repeatedly insisted that the Western drive for a stronger crackdown on Syria is preparation for a "Libyan scenario".
Libya has been in crisis since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi on October 20, 2011, which came after a months-long military standoff between government forces and the rebels, who received assistance from NATO forces. After the conflict, the country has seen violent clashes between numerous militias, armed with weapons seized from government ammunition depots.
Libyan Prime Minister Abdullah Thani said Monday in an interview with RIA Novosti that he and members of the government are planning to visit Russia in late October or November.
He added that Russia is Libya's main partner in reforming the country's armed forces and the two countries have joint projects in the railway and the oil and gas sectors.
