Syrian President al-Assad with his family members arrives in Moscow - Kremlin source

MOSCOW. Dec 9 (Interfax) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is in Moscow, a source at the Kremlin said on Sunday.

"Syrian President al-Assad with members of his family has arrived in Moscow. Russia has granted them asylum based on humanitarian considerations," the source said.

"Russia has always been in favor of finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis," he said.

"We proceed from the need to resume talks under the UN aegis," he added.

"Russian officials are in contact with representatives of the Syrian armed opposition, whose leaders have guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions in Syria," he said.

He said he hopes for the continued political dialogue for the sake of the Syrian people's interests and advancing bilateral relations between Russia and Syria.