Russian Troops Not in Syria: Damascus Envoy to Moscow
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Talk of a Russian troop presence on the ground in Syria is "a lie", Syrian Ambassador to Moscow Riad Haddad said, amid accusations from the United States that Moscow is beefing up its military presence in the Arab country.
Washington claimed on Monday that Russian movement on the ground suggests Moscow wants to create a forward air operating base at an airfield south of Latakia.
"We have been cooperating with Russia for 30-40 years in various areas, including the military sphere. Yes, we receive arms, military equipment, all this is done in line with agreements sealed between our countries," Haddad said, Reuters reported.
"But the talk of your (Russian) troop presence on Syrian territory is a lie spread by Western countries, the United States," Haddad said of Washington, which wants Assad to go and, along with Persian Gulf countries, backs the armed opposition in the conflict.
Moscow admits having "military experts" accompanying arms on the ground in Syria, but has not confirmed an increased military presence or stepping up arms supplies to Damascus.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday declined to comment on Latakia.
Haddad said Damascus wanted to hold a third round of consultations between the Syrian government and opposition representatives to prepare for more peace talks under UN auspices.
Intensified high-level diplomacy around Syria in recent weeks has all but failed to yield a breakthrough on the conflict, which has fueled a major wave of migration to Europe.
