Washington denies Russian allegations that the U.S. uses Al-Nusra Front to overthrow Syrian government
The U.S. State Department flatly disclaimed Russian statements that the U.S. uses Al-Nusra Front to overthrow Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. This interpretation was previously announced by the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov.
According to the Russian diplomat, Washington "has reasons to maintain Al-Nusra Front.” This grouping can ostensibly be used as "the most efficient force" for the "violent overthrow of the regime in Damascus." Lavrov stressed that in such a way, the UN Security Council resolutions that had been adopted primarily on the basis of the Russian-American initiatives are violated directly.
State Department spokesman John Kirby said that it was "absolutely not true” .
Earlier, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev accused the U.S. of an attempt to gain time for helping the rebels in Syria. According to him, this was the true goal of the negotiations with Moscow, continuing in a "virtually everyday mode.” He also added that as a result, more and more rebel groups merge with Al-Nusra Front while the "moderate opposition supported by Washington” refused to withdraw the troops and give way to the UN humanitarian convoys.