Russia rejects military intervention in Syria

Istanbul, April 18 (IANS) Russia has rejected the idea of military intervention in conflict-ridden Syria, while warning about its repercussions.

On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said his country rejected military intervention in Syria, Xinhua reported.

Moscow hoped to avoid any measure of military intervention in that country in the forthcoming meeting of Friends of Syria in Istanbul, Lavrov said while speaking at a press conference after meeting Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

"We do not struggle to change the regime. We don't support such activities but further dialogue between the regime and the opposition."

The minister also warned about the possibility of continuance of Syrian tragedy as well as the massacre and emergence of Al-Qaeda if the military intervention took place.

As for the upcoming Friends of Syria meeting which will be hosted by Istanbul April 20, Lavrov said that his country was not a member of Friends of Syria group and expressed his doubts over activities of the group.