Moscow says ally Assad too slow at reforms

He said Syrian President Bashar Assad has been slow to implement long-needed reforms and warning that the conflict in the Arab state could spiral out of control.Sergey Lavrovs comments to the Russian parliament did not appear to hint at a change in Russias policy toward Syria, which has come under wide criticism. Moscow has protected Syria, a key ally since the Soviet times, from U.N. sanctions over the Assad regimes bloody suppression of a yearlong uprising, in which the U.N. says over 7,500 have been killed.But the statement was notable for its public frustration with Assads government, which depends on Russia for weapons.Regrettably, he hasnt always followed our advice in his activities, Lavrov said.He has approved useful laws reviving the system and making it more pluralistic. But it has been done after a long delay, and the proposals about launching a dialogue also have been slow to come. Meanwhile, the armed confrontation is expanding and its inertia may sweep and engulf all.Lavrov said none of the weapons Russia currently is supplying to Syria could be used against the protesters and that the arms trade is aimed at helping Syria fend off external threats. Russia backs Assads claim that the uprising is a foreign conspiracy and that weapons and militants have been brought into Syria from abroad.Russia has blocked U.N. Security Council measures aimed at putting pressure on Assad, saying the opposition forces must also be pressured to stop fighting. Russia has vowed to block any U.N. resolution that could pave the way for a replay of what happened in Libya, where NATO action helped oust late dictator Moammar Gadhafi.--AP