Lavrov: West shows double standards over situation in Middle East

The West shows double standards over the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at the traditional annual meeting with the students and teachers of the Moscow State University of International Relations (MGIMO) here on Monday. “As for the Middle East and North Africa, we witness something that we call double standards,” the minister said. “The personal aspect is obvious, when personal dislike to an authoritarian leader results in the need to topple him whatever the cost. There is no talk about authoritarian leaders, to whom there is no dislike and who are aides,” Lavrov noted. However, some form of political settlement all the same will prevail in Syria, Lavrov believes. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made another statement on the matter after negotiations with his visiting South African counterpart Maite Nkoana-Mashabane on Monday. “I doubt strongly that the opposition will become more amenable after a military strike,” the minister said. “If an action stated by the U.S. president will take place, to great misfortune, this will throw the prospect of a forum far behind, if not forever,” Lavrov noted.