Russia opposes introduction of no-fly zone in Syria

Russia has termed the introduction of no-fly zone in Syria as "counter-productive" and "unilateral" step.

Russia has termed the introduction of no-fly zone in Syria as "counter-productive" and "unilateral" step.

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On Friday, the West-led Friends of Syria group called in Paris the introduction of a no-fly zone in Syria, the crisis-torn country.

"We repeatedly pointed out at the counter-productiveness of various unilateral steps, such like proposals about the creation of the humanitarian corridors and safety zones," Xinhua reported Deputy foreign minister Gennady Gatilov as saying here Friday.

"These ideas have not been supported by the international humanitarian organisations working in Syria. These dubious ideas are not needed," he said.

The diplomat stressed that the UN Security Council did not make the decision on imposing of a no-fly zone over Syria and was unlikely to agree with the idea, "especially after what had happened in Libya".

The no-fly zone in Libya "had been introduced in contradiction to the UN resolutions and it was actively used by the NATO countries and some of their allies to support one of the sides in the conflict," Gatilov said.

"It is the time not for urging the introduction of the no-fly zone, but for actively implementing the declaration adopted at the Geneva meeting on June 30, which envisages the immediate stop of violence by all parties and the launch of a comprehensive political process," he said.