France, Russia and China condemn slaying of Soleimani
Jan 5, 2020 20:06:30 GMT -5
Post by Berean on Jan 5, 2020 20:06:30 GMT -5
France, Russia and China condemn slaying of Soleimani as a destabilizing act
Britain and France urge deescalation after US strike on Iranian general; Moscow blasts ‘adventurist step,’ praises Quds Force chief’s ‘devotion’ to Iran’s national interests
By AGENCIES and TOI STAFF
3 January 2020, 12:41 pm 20
World powers on Friday criticized the US killing of a top Iranian military commander and called for restraint and calm in its wake.
The US strike in Baghdad that killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force, had made the world “more dangerous,” France’s Europe minister said, calling for efforts to deescalate the deepening conflict in the Middle East.
“We have woken up to a more dangerous world,” Amelie de Montchalin told RTL radio, saying President Emmanuel Macron will consult soon with “players in the region.
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“In such operations, when we can see an escalation is underway, what we want above all is stability and deescalation,” Montchalin says. “Our role is not to take sides, but to talk with everyone.”
Moscow warned that the killing of Soleimani would boost tensions across the Middle East, calling it “an adventurist step.” The foreign ministry said Soleimani “served the cause of protecting Iran’s national interests with devotion. We express our sincere condolences to the Iranian people.”
In this photo from June 30, 2018, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, center, who heads the IRGC’s Quds Force, attends a graduation ceremony of a group of the guard’s officers in Tehran, Iran. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)
China appealed for restraint from all sides, “especially the United States,” after the attack.
“China has always opposed the use of force in international relations,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily press briefing. “We urge the relevant sides, especially the United States, to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalating tensions.”
He said Iraq’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity must be respected.
China and Russia, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, are key partners of Iran.
Britain did not criticize the action but joined the call for calm.
Foreign minister Dominic Raab said London had “always recognized the aggressive threat” posed by Soleimani and his Quds Force, adding: “Following his death, we urge all parties to deescalate. Further conflict is [in] none of our interests.”
Full article at link
Germany too urged restraint and deescalation. “We are at a dangerous point of escalation. It is now important through prudence and restraint to contribute to de-escalation,” said Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer.
Britain and France urge deescalation after US strike on Iranian general; Moscow blasts ‘adventurist step,’ praises Quds Force chief’s ‘devotion’ to Iran’s national interests
By AGENCIES and TOI STAFF
3 January 2020, 12:41 pm 20
World powers on Friday criticized the US killing of a top Iranian military commander and called for restraint and calm in its wake.
The US strike in Baghdad that killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force, had made the world “more dangerous,” France’s Europe minister said, calling for efforts to deescalate the deepening conflict in the Middle East.
“We have woken up to a more dangerous world,” Amelie de Montchalin told RTL radio, saying President Emmanuel Macron will consult soon with “players in the region.
Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition by email and never miss our top storiesFREE SIGN UP
“In such operations, when we can see an escalation is underway, what we want above all is stability and deescalation,” Montchalin says. “Our role is not to take sides, but to talk with everyone.”
Moscow warned that the killing of Soleimani would boost tensions across the Middle East, calling it “an adventurist step.” The foreign ministry said Soleimani “served the cause of protecting Iran’s national interests with devotion. We express our sincere condolences to the Iranian people.”
In this photo from June 30, 2018, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, center, who heads the IRGC’s Quds Force, attends a graduation ceremony of a group of the guard’s officers in Tehran, Iran. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)
China appealed for restraint from all sides, “especially the United States,” after the attack.
“China has always opposed the use of force in international relations,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily press briefing. “We urge the relevant sides, especially the United States, to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalating tensions.”
He said Iraq’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity must be respected.
China and Russia, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, are key partners of Iran.
Britain did not criticize the action but joined the call for calm.
Foreign minister Dominic Raab said London had “always recognized the aggressive threat” posed by Soleimani and his Quds Force, adding: “Following his death, we urge all parties to deescalate. Further conflict is [in] none of our interests.”
Full article at link
Germany too urged restraint and deescalation. “We are at a dangerous point of escalation. It is now important through prudence and restraint to contribute to de-escalation,” said Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer.