UNITED NATIONS: A diplomatic standoff between the United States and Russia seems inevitable as Washington seeks to expand its military action against IS (formerly known as ISIS) in Syria.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told his US counterpart John Kerry on Sunday that Washington should respect Syrian sovereignty in its fight against Islamic State militants, the ministry said in a statement, released in Moscow.

Mr Lavrov stressed “the necessity to strictly comply with the United Nations’ statute, norms of international law and unconditional respect of Syrian sovereignty during the fulfilment of plans by the US-led coalition, which includes the use of force”, the ministry said.

President Barack Obama authorised US air strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria earlier this month.

But Russia is expected to veto any resolution authorising any military action inside Syria.

Mr Obama will come to New York on Tuesday to first attend the world climate change summit.

He will then attend the opening session of the UN General Assembly and will meet a host of world leaders to discuss the ongoing conflict in Iraq and Syria and will preside over the UN Security Council meeting as the US heads the 15-member council this month.

The US is seeking to bolster the coalition of like-minded nations to prosecute military action against IS in Iraq and Syria but Iran says it cannot succeed without its participation.

However, the Western nations are reluctant to include Iran.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2014