Putin: Syria crisis can be resolved only by strengthening government structures

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said there is no other solution to the Syrian crisis than to strengthen the effective government structures and provide them with assistance in fighting terrorism.

Putin said this in an interview with American journalist Charlie Rose ahead of meeting face-to-face with US President Barack Obama on Monday in New York. The fragment of the interview has been published on the CBS TV channel’s website.

"It's my deep belief that any actions to the contrary in order to destroy the legitimate government will create a situation which you can witness now in the other countries of the region or in other regions, for instance in Libya, where all the state institutions are disintegrated. We see a similar situation in Iraq," Putin said through translator when asked about Russia's intentions in Syria.

"And there is no other solution to the Syrian crisis than strengthening the effective government structures and rendering them help in fighting terrorism," the Russian president said.

Putin said there is a need to urge them to "engage in positive dialogue with the rational opposition and conduct reform." He also stressed that "it's only the Syrian people who are entitled to decide who should govern their country and how."

The interview will go on air in full at the end of this or beginning of next week.