Russia: Deputy FM wary of Assad's hints he may seek new term

Remarks by President Bashar Assad suggesting he might seek re-election in 2014 do not help the situation in Syria, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency on Thursday.

"Such rhetorical statements affect the atmosphere and do not make the situation any calmer," Bogdanov, whose country has been Assad's main international backer during Syria's civil war, told Interfax in an interview. (Reuters)