Russia may send observers to Syria as part of UN mission: deputy FM

Russia doesn't rule out the possibility to send its observers to Syria as part of a UN monitoring mission, Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said Monday.

"Now we are considering such a possibility," Gatilov said, adding that he could not say anything concrete as the decision "is quite serious and requires additional work."

The details of the UN mission, including its mandate, size and national composition, have not been decided yet, Gatilov said.

Meanwhile, the diplomat stressed Moscow is "actively working with Damascus" in order to launch a sooner political process on a peaceful settlement to the Syrian crisis.

He also stressed any attempts to impose outside decisions on Syria would only escalate tensions in the country.

"All must respect Syria's sovereignty, and violence must be stopped," Gatilov said.

The diplomat also defended the right of veto in the UN Security Council, calling it a guarantee against "erosion of state sovereignty."

"The authority of the UN Security Council must be impeccable. The veto is not a privilege and not an instrument of pressure, but a guarantee of making balanced decisions," Gatilov said.

Russia, jointly with China, vetoed in February a U.N. draft resolution that backed a plan to promote regime change in the West Asian country.

Moscow reiterated its stance several times that a political solution is the best option for the Syrian crisis and warned against any foreign intervention in the country's internal affairs.