MOSCOW, March 6. /TASS/. The Kremlin does not announce international visits in advance, due in part to security reasons, Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday, commenting on information about a possible visit of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad to Moscow.

The Vedomosti newspaper reported earlier, citing an informed diplomatic source, that Assad would pay an official visit to Russia in mid-March.

"You know, we announce international visits at the stated time; we won’t do it earlier. There are certain security rules governing official visits, of course, so we are never in a hurry to make any announcements. We will tell you everything in due time," the Kremlin spokesman said.

"As a rule, several working, official visits are being worked out. This is an ongoing process that our specialists in international relations, the relevant ministries and departments work on," Peskov added.