Russia is concerned over media reports on the possibility of military intervention into the Syrian conflict, the Foreign Ministry said Monday.
"A number of Arab and world media published recently the discussions about use of chemical weapons in confrontation between the Syrian government forces and opposition fighters," ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said in an online comment.
Serious concerns appeared due to "preparation of the world public opinion for a possibility of military intervention" into the domestic conflict in Syria, Lukashevich said.
The diplomat mentioned the remarks of Carla del Ponte, member of an independent commission investigating human rights abuse in Syria, which highlighted the possible use of chemical weapons by the opposition, not the government forces.
Speaking recently to a Swiss TV, Carla del Ponte said there were "strong, concrete suspicions but not yet incontrovertible proof" about the rebels use of sarin, adding that her "suspicions" were based on testimonies of victims.
Politicizing the issue of using chemical weapons in Syria must be stopped, Lukashevich added.
Meanwhile, Moscow was verifying and analyzing reports about Israeli air strikes against Damascus suburbs on May 3 and 5, the diplomat said.
Further escalation of armed confrontation would form hot spots in Lebanon and along relatively quiet Israel-Lebanon border. " Internationalization of the highly dangerous and destructive domestic conflict in Syria should not be allowed," Lukashevich warned.
