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Conflict in Syria

Syrian information minister: No Russian troops in Syria

According to the official, the rumors were fabricated by intelligence agencies of the West and some Arab countries

© AP Photo/Bassem Tellawi, File

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BEIRUT, September 8. /TASS/. Rumors that Russia is stepping up its military presence in Syria are "fabricated by intelligence agencies of the West and some Arab countries," Syria’s Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi told the Lebanese TV channel Al-Manar. Excerpts from this interview have been quoted by the SANA news agency on Tuesday.

According to the minister, "this hostile campaign is aimed at creating the impression that the Syrian state has become so weak that it has to seek direct military assistance from its friends."

"Our relations with Russians, including in the military sphere, have been developing for a long time. However, there are no Russian troops in Syria. Russia conducts no military activities on land, at sea or in the air," al-Zoubi said.

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