Syria denies Russian warships off coast

A Syrian Defence Ministry official denied media reports on Tuesday that Russian warships had arrived off the Syrian coast to deploy soldiers, the SANA news agency said. Some Russian and other media reported earlier that the Russian Black Sea tanker Iman with a group of marines onboard was operating close to the Syrian coast. “This information is false and is part of the anti-Syria campaign waged by some countries…. seeking military interference into Syria’s domestic affairs,” the official said. Western nations and Israel have accused the Syrian authorities of violently suppressing the year-long protests taking place in the country against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad. He in turn has accused the West of supporting the protesters, who he says are al-Qaeda linked militants and deserters. The Syrian statement echoed a Russian Defense Ministry denial on Monday night that its warships were in the area. The Defence Ministry confirmed the tanker Iman’s arrival off the Syrian coast, but said it was for technical reasons and its crew was all civilians accompanied by security guards. The ministry said the tanker was carrying fuel and food supplies for the Russian Black Sea and Northern fleets, which are engaged in anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden.