Russia accuses West of using 'blackmail' over Syria

MOSCOW: Russia on Monday accused Western powers of using "blackmail" to get its backing for possible UN Security Council sanctions against the Syrian regime for its crackdown on the armed opposition.

"To our great regret, we are witnessing elements of blackmail," said Foreign Minster Sergei Lavrov, saying the West has told Russia to either back the measure or it will "refuse to extend the mandate of the (UN) observer mission."

Calls for Russia to persuade President Bashar al-Assad to step down are unrealistic as the Syrian leader will not quit, Russian Foreign Minister said.

"It is simply unrealistic... he will not leave power. And this is not because we are protecting him but because there is a very significant part of the Syrian population behind him," Lavrov told reporters