Syrian President Assad visits Russia.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and members of his family have arrived in Moscow.
According to RIA Novosti, a Kremlin source said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and members of his family arrived in Moscow on December 8. Russia granted them asylum for humanitarian reasons.
"Syrian President Assad and members of his family have arrived in Moscow, based on humanitarian considerations, and Russia has provided them with asylum," a RIA Novosti source said.
According to sources, Russia has consistently advocated for a political solution to the Syrian crisis. Furthermore, Russia believes that negotiations should resume under the auspices of the United Nations.
The source added: “Russian officials are in contact with representatives of the armed opposition forces in Syria, whose leaders are guaranteeing the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions in Syria.”
The source emphasized that Russia hopes to continue political dialogue for the benefit of the Syrian people and to develop bilateral relations between the two countries.
Earlier on December 8, representatives of the armed opposition in Syria declared that they had established control of the country. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali said he remained in the country with several ministers and had established contact with the leadership of the armed opposition.
The Russian Foreign Ministry reported that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, after negotiations with several parties involved in the conflict, decided to resign and leave the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power.
