Russia to open embassies in Sierra Leone, Niger, South Sudan - Lavrov

MOSCOW. May 23 (Interfax) - Russia plans to open embassies in Sierra Leone, Niger, and South Sudan soon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"We're preparing to open full-fledged diplomatic missions in Sierra Leone, Niger, and the Republic of South Sudan," Lavrov said at a reception on the occasion of upcoming Africa Day at the Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday.

The Russian embassy to Burkina Faso resumed its operations last December, Lavrov said.

Russia is continuing to work to expand its diplomatic presence in Africa, Lavrov said.