Russia Says U.S. Tries To Justify Terrorism

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

Russia says the United States' failure to condemn the July 18 bomb attack, which killed Syria's top security officials, meant Washington was justifying terror.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, referring to what he said were comments by U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland indicating such attacks were not surprising, said, "This is a direct justification of terrorism."

Lavrov also criticized the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, saying she had argued that the attack in Damascus meant the UN Security Council had to agree a sanctions resolution against Syria last week that Russia later vetoed.

Russia rejects accusations Moscow is backing the regime in Damascus, and it accuses the West of siding with rebels seeking to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad.
Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters