10 Jul 2012 16:50

Syria opposition delegation not to ask Russia to give Assad asylum - delegate

MOSCOW. July 10 (Interfax) - The idea of Russia granting asylum to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad if he leaves office will not be raised during planned meetings in Moscow this week between a delegation of the Syrian National Council (SNC) and Russian officials, SNC member Mahmoud al-Hamza told Interfax on Tuesday.

The delegates, who have arrived in Moscow, are due to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday to ponder ways of ending bloodshed in Syria and a transitional period in the Arab country that would follow Assad's potential departure from office.