Syria's foreign minister says Russia promises aid

PanARMENIAN.Net - Syria's foreign minister said in Moscow on Monday, June 29 Russia had promised to send political, economic and military aid to his country, where the army is coming under some of the heaviest pressure since the start of the civil war, Reuters reports.

Insurgent groups have made gains against government forces in northwest, central and southern Syria in the past two months but Damascus has voiced confidence that it can hold on to important territory with the help of its allies.

"I got a promise of aid to Syria - politically, economically and militarily," Walid al-Moualem said at a televised news conference after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin. He did not give details.

Putin said earlier on Monday there was no change in Russia's support for the Syrian leadership.

Syria has relied on help from its allies - Russia, Iran and Lebanese Shi'ite group Hezbollah - in the four-year conflict that has killed more than 220,000 people and convulsed the region.

At the news conference with Moualem, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Moscow's stance that calling for Syrian regime change was aiding the expansion of hardline groups, which have become some of the strongest in the war.