Rohingya crisis: Russia says intervention will 'exacerbate religious strife' in Myanmar

Russian foreign ministry said that Moscow considers Rohingya crisis as an internal issue and any sort of outside intervention will 'further exacerbate religious strife'.

It is important to understand that an attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign state may only further exacerbate religious strife as it will bring in deeper inter-religious discord, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.

The spokeswoman said Moscow supports "efforts for promoting the inter-religious dialogue in Myanmar among the spiritual leaders of all religions."

"In that connection we took note of the collective statement by the leading organizations representing Myanmar's multi-ethnic Muslim community who condemned armed actions by radical elements in that region (Rakhine)," Zakharova said."It is essential to remember that the wish to intervene in the internal affairs of a sovereign state may merely bring about further inter-religious discord," she said.

Zakharova said Russia welcomed the measures taken by the "Myanmar Government to implement the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State headed by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan".

"In part, a special committee has been created for this purpose under the minister of social welfare, relief and resettlement, which incorporates officials of the law enforcement and economic agencies," Zakharova further said.

The statement of Russian Foreign Ministry came amid a global outcry against the latest atrocities committed against Rohingya Muslim minorities in Myanmar's Rakhine State.On September 13, the UN Security Council members, including Russia, expressed serious concern over the situation in the region. They urged immediate measures to put an end to violence, reduce tensions, restore law and order, guarantee protection of civilians, reestablish normal socio-economic conditions and resolve the refugee problem in the Rakhine State.

"According to the available data about two thousand people have returned to their homes," Zakharova said. "We expect that similar measures will be taken in relation to other persons affected by the migration crisis.