YEREVAN. – Azerbaijan has been attempting to display itself as a defender of interests of the West in the region, Armenian expert David Jamalyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am commenting on the report in the foreign outlets that Syrian rebels get weapon supply from Azerbaijan as well.

According to the expert, the fact, which testifies for Azerbaijani aspirations to run favorable policy for the West is due to deteriorated relations with Iran and the high rental price for the Gabala military radar station for Russia.

“These attempts are linked to the legitimization of the clan of the Aliyevs. In this context, assistance to the Syrian rebels is not ruled out in order to be liked by the West and show its pro-western attitude. Taking into account the close relations between Azerbaijan and Israel, it is quite logical,” he said adding earlier the Aliyevs purchased their legitimacy through energy supplies, however, as natural resources run out, an alternative way is necessary to show its ‘sympathy’ to the West.