US strike risks emboldening terrorists: Russian, Syrian FMs

Russian and Syrian foreign ministers warned Monday that a US military strike against Syria would embolden terrorists.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Moualem made the remarks after holding talks Monday, reported Xinhua.

"We believe it is absolutely necessary to respect international law and agreements reached. This applies to the necessity to thoroughly investigate all reports about use of chemical weapons," Lavrov told reporters.

Lavrov said Russia possessed "plentiful" evidence that chemical weapons in Syria were used by the armed opposition and not the government troops.

"There are also professional opinions - for instance UN investigation commission member Carla del Ponte said she had information about the use of chemical warfare agents by the militants," he added.

"We do not rule out the possibility to invite everyone interested in peace and in a political settlement in Syria conflict to Moscow," the Russian minister said.

Moualem said the US wanted to unleash an attack against Syria on behalf of terrorist groups related to Al Qaeda, and that was "an aggression".

The Syrian government, he said, was still prepared to participate in the Geneva-II conference.