Moscow urges Washington, Hezbollah to refrain from steps that could destabilize situation in Iraq, Syria

MOSCOW. Dec 30 (Interfax) - Russia has condemned reciprocal strikes carried out by Hezbollah and U.S. troops in Iraq and has called on the opposing sides to show restraint.

"Moscow is seriously concerned by the exchange of strikes between the Hezbollah military and political group and units of the U.S. Armed Forces, which are deployed in Iraq. [...] We view such actions as unacceptable and counterproductive. We are urging all parties to refrain from further steps, which are fraught with the possibility of a sharp destabilization of the military and political situation in Iraq, Syria, and their neighboring countries," the Russian Foreign Ministry Information and Press Department said in a statement on escalating tensions in Iraq and Syria.

The airbase near Kirkuk, which is used by U.S. forces, came under a missile strike, which left a civilian specialist dead and several servicemen injured on December 27, according to information received by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"On December 29, the U.S. carried out, as they said, defensive pinpoint strikes on five Hezbollah sites in western Iraq and eastern Syria, which, as reported, killed 25 people and injured roughly 50. Baghdad publicly denounced these strikes, which, according to Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, violate the country's sovereignty and threaten its security," the statement published on the Russian Foreign Ministry website said.

sb jk iz

(Our editorial staff can be reached at eng.editors@interfax.ru)

The En+ Group effectively turned a new page in its corporate history in 2019. Now the group has a unique governance scheme for Russia - without a domineering shareholder and a loyal majority on the board of directors. The board chairman, Lord Gregory Barker, is convinced that the changes adopted in the framework of the plan he devised to get the company removed from the U.S. sanctions list will ultimately do the company and its shareholders good, irrespective of the deal with OFAC. Lord Barker told Interfax in an interview about the work of the new En+ board, dividends and long-term strategy.

more

Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Russia Laurie Bristow, who is leaving his post, has given an exclusive interview to Interfax in which he speaks about prospects of relations with Russia, arms control, the situation in Syria and surrounding Iran, as well as other topical problems on the international agenda.

more

Cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC countries, foremost Russia, has lasted for three years already and in this time the oil market has seen shakeups that have threatened to cause a split within OPEC and jeopardized the fate of the OPEC+ agreement to curb oil production in order to balance the market. OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo spoke with Interfax on the sidelines of the 16th annual meeting of the Valdai Club in Sochi about how decisions are made and OPEC‘s position regarding geopolitical events that have hit oil markets.

more