Russian ambassador urges Russians in Syria to keep in touch with embassy
MOSCOW. Feb 8 (Interfax) - The Russian Foreign Ministry advises Russians to refrain from visits to Syria, but if such visits are essential, to be in touch with the embassy.
"The Russian Foreign Ministry persistently recommends [Russian citizens] to refrain from private trips to Syria. We also urge our compatriots still coming here due to acute business needs, to demonstrate maximum caution and circumspection, and also, to keep in touch with the embassy," Russian ambassador to Damascus Alexander Kinshchak said in an interview with Interfax.
He described the situation with guaranteeing security to Russian citizens living in Syria "complex" noting that "members of mixed families are primarily in question."
"Most of our compatriots who did not leave the country over the civil conflict, live in relatively safe territories controlled by government troops, as we understand. Compared to militant-controlled areas, the situation there is better, of course. But even in Damascus, and its suburbs, there are serious risks of finding oneself in a terror attack zone, armed clashes or under rocket and mortar fire," the ambassador said.
In his opinion, "the security of the Russian embassy in Damascus is guaranteed at the appropriate level." "Special attention is paid to these issues, which is natural for any hotspot. We are closely monitoring the situation, analyzing all of the risks, and taking into account the nature, and probability, of existing threats and taking exhaustive measures to guarantee the reliable protection of the diplomatic mission and its personnel," Kinshchak said.
He said that embassy is rendering "all necessary assistance to our companies which have representative offices in Syria, and members of official delegations, journalists, and businessmen assigned to the country."
"We are closely cooperating with Syrian law enforcement bodies on these matters, who responded promptly, and with full understanding of response to our relevant appeals," the diplomat concluded.