Russia Comes to Defense of Syria, Iran

Sergei Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister, said in his annual news conference on Wednesday that foreign intervention in Syria and Iran could lead to ''a very big war that will cause suffering not only to countries in the region but also to states far beyond its boundaries.''

Mr Lavrov spent much of the news conference criticizing Western policies and measures regarding Iran and Syria, and reiterated Russia's position that it will veto any UN Security Council resolution authorizing military intervention against the Syrian regime.