MOSCOW. Nov 29 (Interfax) - Arab countries should settle the situation in Syria on their own and without external interference, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"Moscow has been closely following the efforts being made by the Arab League in search for a peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis within the Arab limits and without foreign interference," it said in a statement on Monday.
"Priority should be given to the maintenance of Syria's unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty as one of the key players in the Middle East, and to the prevention of further religious and ethnic confrontation," it said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry was commenting on the Arab League's decision to impose sanctions on Syria.
The potential of the Arab League's initiative and other opportunities would be used to the end in order to end violence and to set dialogue in motion inside Syria, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"This would help normalize the situation in Syria and implement political and socioeconomic reforms quickly and in harmony with Syrian citizens' hopes," it said.