Russia on Wednesday called the Arab League's decision to give Syria's seat in the organization to the anti-government opposition "illegal," "indefensible," and "anti-Syrian."

Arab League summit in Dohar, Qatar Source: AP

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Alexander Lukashevich said the Arab League’s decision undermined the peace efforts of the UN-AL special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi and provoked a destructive military scenario in Syria’s crisis. Lukashevich said the AL’s decision is illegal because the Government of Syria is still the legal representative of the Syrian state. He said only a political settlement can end the bloodshed and guarantee peace and security for all Syrians.

The same day, Iran’s Foreign Ministry slammed the AL’s decision as a dangerous precedent. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, said the move will intensify the situation.