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Lavrov rules out Russia’s military presence in Syria

The diplomat underlined that Russia’s military presence in Syria “would contradict Russia’s basic interests”

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, March 14 (Itar-Tass) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has ruled out an opportunity for Russia’s military presence in Syria.

In his response to the question on Russia’s possible presence in Syria with a view to challenging the U.S. prestige, the minister underlined that “such a goal will be wrong.”

“We need to strengthen our image and not to crush out other’s one,” he told a State Duma session on Wednesday.

At the same time Lavrov noted that “the United States’ influence in Iraq and Libya has not strengthened,” he said.

The diplomat underlined that Russia’s military presence in Syria “would contradict Russia’s basic interests.”

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