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Sergei Lavrov
Photo: Reuters
Bashar Assad
Photo: AFP

Russia says no plans to offer Assad asylum

Foreign Minister Lavrov stresses Moscow 'not even thinking about' granting Syrian president political asylum

Russia has made no agreement to grant Syrian President Bashar Assad asylum and is "not even thinking about" doing so, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday.

 

The remarks fell short of a statement that Russia would not consider taking in Assad but were among Moscow's strongest indications yet that it is not planning to do so.

 

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"We have said more than once publicly that we are not even thinking about this," Lavrov told reporters when asked about media reports Russia was ready to offer Assad asylum.  

 

 

Moscow, a steadfast ally of Syria that has so far blocked all UN Security Council attempts to pass a resolution against the rogue regime, has dismissed such suggestions in the past.

 

Russia, along with China, has shielded Assad from Western-sponsored UN action beyond verbal condemnation of the violence – a stance that Assad's foes say gives him a free hand to pursue his crackdown against protesters.

 

The rumors that Russia may grant asylum to Assad "Are either an attempt to mislead serious people dealing with foreign policy or a lack of understanding of Russia's position," Lavrov said two week ago.

 

Russia has repeatedly said Syrians themselves must determine the fate of their country without any foreign meddling and that all sides of the conflict should engage in dialogue.

 

 

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פרסום ראשון: 07.28.12, 23:11
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