Russia capable of saving nationals from Syria: Navy

Moscow, Aug 31: The Russian naval forces stationed in the Mediterranean Sea are capable of evacuating its nationals from Syria if they receive such a order, the Navy said Friday.

"The group of Russian warships consisted of the vessels from several fleets is capable of implementing such a task rapidly if the order to conduct such an operation arrives," reported Xinhua citing a Russian Navy source.

But no such order had been issued as of 5.00 p.m Friday, the source added.

According to earlier statements made by the Navy, it will conduct a routine rotation in the Mediterranean Sea from Sept 1-7, with guard ship Neustrashimy, large assault landing ships Shabalin, Admiral Nevelsky and Peresvet to be replaced by a large anti-boat ship Admiral Panteleyev and two large assault landing ships Minsk and Novocherkassk.

Russia's moves in the Mediterranean have drawn huge attention from the world, as a possible US-led military attack on Syria over alleged chemical weapons use by the Syrian government has been debated heatedly and received mixed reactions.

IANS