Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has rejected as speculation and provocation reports suggesting that Moscow plans to close its embassy in the crisis-hit Syria, as well as its naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus.All these rumors are speculation and provocation aimed at preparing the public for the efforts to change the regime [in Syria], Lavrov said in a press conference after talks with his Moroccan counterpart Saad al-Din al-Osmani in Moscow on Friday.
Lavrov added that the Russian Embassy is working in a normal mode as regards the fulfillment of its functions as a diplomatic mission.
Regarding the Tartus naval base, Lavrov said the naval logistics facility operates normally. Evacuation of this base or its personnel is not on the agenda.
Earlier in mid June,al-Hayatnewspaper quoted Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov as saying that Russia had evacuated all military personnel from its small naval base in Syria.
The unrest in Syria erupted over two years ago and many people, including large numbers of Syrian soldiers and security personnel, have been killed in the violence.
The Syrian government says that the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country and there are reports that a very large number of the militants are foreign nationals.
Damascus also says the West and its regional allies, such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, are supporting the militants.
By Press TV
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