Cleric backs Putin

Archbishop says Russia’s efforts bring ‘some hope’ to Syria’s Christians

LONDON The Archbishop of Aleppo has welcomed Russia’s intervention in Syria’s civil war, saying the West should follow Vladimir Putin in backing President Bashar Assad rather than rebel groups dominated by extremists.

Archbishop Jean-Clément Jeanbart of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church said Putin’s involvement had brought hope to many of Syria’s Christians, who thought it might force the warring sides to the negotiating table.

In an interview during a visit to London, he urged Britain and the U.S. to reassess Assad, who he claimed was not the “devil” they made him out to be.

“I have been asking fellow bishops, priests and lay people about what they think of the Russian involvement, and they say they find some hope in it because they are desperate for the end of this war,” Jeanbart said Tuesday.

“As long as Europe and the U.S. have been involved, we have no seen no results, but with the Russian intervention maybe things will change.

“Perhaps it will help destroy Daesh (an Arabic acronym for ISIL) and push the opposition to find a solution.”

Putin issued a caustic defence of his country’s bombing raids in Syria, accusing the West of stonewalling requests for help on terrorist targets and failing to grasp the basic facts on the ground.

“We asked them to give us the information on the targets that they believe to be 100 per cent terrorists and they refused to do that,” he said.

“We then asked to please tell us which targets are not terrorists, and there was no answer, so what are we supposed to do? I am not making this up.

“I think some of our partners simply have mush for brains. They do not have a clear understanding of what is really happening in the country and what goals they are seeking to achieve.”