Russia's air campaign targets terrorists in Syria, not support Assad government: FM

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday strongly defended his country's bombing campaign in Syria, saying it is targeting terrorist groups and not aimed at keeping President Bashar Al Assad in power.

"We always said we are going to fight ISIL (Islamic State)," he said at a press conference here on the sidelines of the annual high-level debate of the UN General Assembly, which entered its fourth day here Thursday.

There have been accusations that Moscow was targeting armed groups in opposition to Assad, groups supported or protected by the U.S.-led coalition.

"We see eye to eye with" the U.S.-led coalition on targeting ISIL, al Nusra and other terrorist groups, Lavrov noted. "We have the same approach."

The foreign minister said Russia is acting on "the request of President Assad" and after the Russian parliament granted approval to Russian President Vladimir Putin to send air forces in Syria.

"The goal is terrorism and we are not supporting anyone against their own people. We fight terrorism."

Somehow, some people try to present the coalition action as leading to a political settlement and Russia fighting the same people is being perceived or presented like defending the regime, he said.

"It's absolutely unfair and I believe honest journalism is required in this situation," he said.

On Wednesday, Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry agreed their militaries would consult as soon as possible to avoid conflict in air operations that could cause unintended conflict or tragedy. Endit