Russian, Syrian parliamentarians discuss fight against Islamic State

MOSCOW, May 26. /TASS/. Visiting Russian parliamentarians met on Tuesday with Syrian Speaker Mohammad Jihad al-Laham to discuss fight against Islamic State and the situation in Syria, a Communist Party deputy in the State Duma lower house of parliament told Tass on the phone. "Focusing on the situation in Syria, the speaker noted that the so-called anti-IS coalition led by the US is a big buff and nonentity," Alexander Yushchenko said. On the one hand, the United States "pretends it is bombing positions of the Islamic State, and on the other - sets up operational headquarters to support the same terrorist groups, supplying them with weapons and supporting financially," he said. "The speaker confirmed that at the moment Syria stands against global terrorism, thus also protecting Europe. If Syria surrenders its positions and global terrorism wins, it will then keep spreading to Europe and Russia," the parliamentarian said. The delegation to Syria includes members of Duma’s group for protection of Christian values, the Civic Chamber and the Russian Committee for Solidarity with the Peoples of Libya and Syria. Yushchenko did not rule out a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Read more