DAMASCUS, (SANA)-Russian Embassy Charge d'affairs Igor Belyaev said Wednesday that his country had recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia upon request of both countries' peoples, parliaments and the public opinion of the Russian people based on the UN conventions.

"The decision of recognition also includes signing agreements with South Ossetia and Abkhazia on friendship, cooperation and mutual help," Belyaev said in a press conference held at the Embassy Chancery in Damascus.

He added Israel, the US and their allies have supplied Georgia with weapons and helped it in its war, in a violation of the international laws.

The Russian Charge d'affairs condemned the double standard policy adopted by the US and its allies regarding those issues, particularly because these same states have recognized the independence of Kosovo 'though South Ossetia and Abkhazia have more justifications for independence.'

Mazen