Russia hoping to keep Syrian military bases in talks with new leaders

Moscow [Russia], January 29: A delegation from the Russian Foreign Ministry travelled to Damascus for talks with Syria's new leaders on Tuesday for the first time since the fall of long-time ruler and Moscow ally Bashar al-Assad.
Deputy Foreign Ministers Mikhail Bogdanov and Alexander Lavrentyev were part of the delegation, according to the Russian state news agency TASS.
Assad and his family fled Syria for Russia in December after suddenly being ousted by a surprise rebel advance following years of civil war. Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin granted them political asylum. But Putin, who helped Assad militarily for years during the war, wants to keep his military bases in Syria.
The harbour in Tartus is Russia's only direct access to the Mediterranean. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune