Russian FM condemns Bab Sharqi terrorist attack

The Russian Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the "criminal attack" on Bab Sharqi and the vicinity of the Mariamite Cathedral in Damascus. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Alexander Lukashevich, on Friday said that "We strongly condemn this criminal attack committed by terrorists in a neighborhood devoid of military targets, which indicates that the attack was committed deliberately against civilians." "Moscow is very worried over the escalation of the terrorist attacks committed by the armed opposition in Syria that are increasingly targeting religious worshipping places", he said, stressing that these acts should draw "international condemnation". He offered condolences to the families of the victims and wished the wounded a speedy recovery. In the same context, Lukashevich reiterated that the events in Syria stress the urgent need to intensify efforts to encourage political settlement to the crisis and restore stability and security to Syria. "We consider that the Russian-US initiative launched on May 7 and the international conference on Syria are an opportunity to help the Syrian parties reach urgent agreement that will help end the devastating conflict and avoid its high-risk repercussions," Lukashevich said. Earlier on Thursday, a suicide bomber blew up himself among a group of citizens who were receiving medical aid from al-Ihsan Charity in Bab Sharqi , causing the martyrdom of four citizens and the injury of eight others.