Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin: If There Is an American Strike in Syria, the Missiles Will Be Shot Down and the Launch Sites Targeted

Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin said in an April 11 Al-Manar TV interview that "If there is an American strike... Let me refer you to the statement by President Putin and the Russian Chief-of-Staff that the missiles will be shot down and the sources from which the missiles were launched [will be attacked]." He further said that while the recent escalation has developed to the point of a serious crisis, "a clash should not be an option, and therefore, we are ready to negotiate."

Following is a transcript:

Alexander Zasypkin: In recent days, we have been witnessing an escalation, which has developed into a serious crisis.

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A clash should not be an option, and therefore, we are ready to negotiate.

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Recently, there have been several achievements, the last of which was the liberation of East Ghouta. We are on the verge of completing this operation. The Americans and their allies oppose this positive development, and this is clear. They consider every achievement to be a loss and a failure on their part.

For a while now, we have been warning that provocations are at work with regard to the issue of chemical weapons. The Americans have placed this on the table as preparatory measures before launching military strikes.

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If there is an American strike… Let me refer you to the statement by President Putin and the Russian Chief of Staff that the missiles will be shot down, and the sources from which the missiles were launched [will be attacked].

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