Syrian President Assad arrives in Russia
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and family members have arrived in Moscow.
According to RIA Novosti, a Kremlin source said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family members arrived in Moscow on December 8. Russia granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds.
“Syrian President Assad and his family members have come to Moscow, based on humanitarian considerations, and Russia has provided them with asylum,” a RIA Novosti source said.
According to the source, Russia has always advocated finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis. In addition, Russia believes that it is necessary to resume negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations.
“Russian officials are in contact with representatives of the armed opposition in Syria, whose leaders ensure the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions in Syria,” the source added.
The source stressed that Russia hopes to continue political dialogue for the benefit of the Syrian people and develop bilateral relations between the two countries.
Earlier on December 8, representatives of the armed opposition in Syria announced that they had established control over the country. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali said he remained in the country along 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 negotiating with a number of parties involved in the conflict, decided to resign and leave the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power.
