The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Saturday is reported to have said his country had not made any agreement to grant asylum to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and is not even "thinking" about it. Lavrov remarks came in light of local media reports that Russia was willing to give asylum to the Syrian president.
Lavrov added that those trying to plant the idea into the international community are pursing "their dirty goals." He observed such provocations come from those trying to pin the blame over the Syrian situation on Russia and China for not toeing the line of action proposed by the west.
Lavrov also indicated another meeting with Syria in the near future that will have active Russian participation as well.
Meanwhile, a spokesman of the foreign ministry said Russia totally rejects unilateral sanctions against Syria and will not undertake action against the Middle East county as proposed by the European Union. The EU on July 23 approved a number of unilateral sanctions against Syria which Russia sees as violations of another country's' sovereignty.
Russia also said it will not allow any inspection of ships sailing under its flag related to the sanctions or "the use of any other restriction measures against them." The EU has also authorized searches of ships and aircraft bound for Syria if suspected of carrying arms or any banned material that could be used against the opposition.
by RTT Staff Writer
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