"We should not take decisions of grave importance for the destiny of countries and peoples, particularly in the complicated circumstances of the regional situation, rashly and under the influence of intensive propaganda," said Medvedev addressing newly accredited ambassadors of a number of foreign countries at the Kremlin.

In his speech broadcast by Russia Today TV, the Russian President added "It is a wrong practice in principle in terms of form and content. It is not acceptablethat the international institutions, particularly the UN, lose their credibility and turn into a so-called 'group of friends' based on political considerations or economic feasibility."

Russian President, Saudi King Discuss Situation in the Region

In another context, President Medvedev discussed in a phone call with King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia the developments in the region and the events in Syria.

The press office at the Kremlin said that both sides exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East in light of the developments in the Syrian arena and discussed coordinating the bilateral and international efforts to achieve stability in the region as soon as possible.

Gatilov: Moscow Has "Confirmed Information" on Syrian Opposition Receiving Weapons and Money from Abroad

For his part, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said that Moscow has "confirmed information" that the Syrian opposition has been receiving weapons and money from abroad, calling for refraining from such activities which ignite internal conflict and further inflame it.

In press statements broadcast by Russia Today TV, Gatilov expressed his country's concern over what is being circulated on preparing scenarios for foreign intervention in Syria despite official denials of this matter.

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister referred to the existence of various sources of information and publications about this issue, clarifying that Moscow is against military intervention in Syria as it will not resolve the conflict in it.

Pushkov: Moscow and Beijing Stances on Syria Firm and Principled

Chairman of the Russian Duma's International Affairs Committee, Aleksey Pushkov, stressed that Moscow is committed to its principled stance adopted during the vote on the last draft resolution on Syria at the UN Security Council.

Pushkov expressed his country's rejection to exploiting the UN and the Security Council to interfere in Syria's internal affairs.

In an interview with Russian 'Russia Today' Channel on Wednesday, Pushkov pointed out that the Arab League (AL) Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi statement on the change in Russia and China stances towards Syria expresses his own stance, asserting that there are no factors that may push Beijing and Moscow to change their firm stances towards Syria which call for halting violence by all parties.

He underscored that during his visit to Syria, he held discussions with President Bashar al-Assad and senior Syrian officials and he met representatives of the Syrian opposition with the aim of getting more realistic perceptions as the situation in Syria is still very important to Russia.

He stressed that there is big desire by the Syrians to support President al-Assad and to rely on themselves to settle their internal issues as they reject any foreign interference in their country's internal affairs, considering Syria as a state that knows how to achieve the democratic process based on the basis it built.

The Duma official called for the necessity of halting all forms of violence not only by the Syrian authorities, but also by the armed groups.

He pointed out that the Syrian opposition is fragmented and has different goals, asserting that Istanbul Council, which rejects dialogue, is basically built on the idea of the foreign intervention and has no effect on the Syrian internal arena.

On Russia's rejection of the so-called 'Friends of Syria Meeting", Pushkov said " the cause of this rejection is that the meeting, in fact, doesn't seek to find the needed political solution to the crisis through holding dialogue among the different parties, which would undermine the moral and political logistics of the meeting through turning it into a club to topple Syria.

English Bulletin