Syrian ambassador to Moscow requests asylum in Russia, TASS reports

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Syria's ambassador to Moscow has requested asylum successful Russia, authorities quality bureau TASS reported connected Monday, citing a source.

The Russian quality outlet provided nary further details connected the reported petition by Bashar Jaafari, who was appointed ambassador to Russia successful 2022 aft 15 years arsenic Syria's imperishable typical to the United Nations.

Reuters was not capable to instantly interaction Jaafari, 69. Syria's embassy successful Moscow did not instantly respond to a petition for comment.

Russian President Vladimir Putin granted asylum to erstwhile Syrian president Bashar al-Assad erstwhile helium fled to Moscow with his household aft being toppled by a lightning rebel violative astatine the extremity of past year.

Syria's overseas ministry past week recalled Jaafari and Syria's ambassador to Saudi Arabia to Damascus, authorities media reported, saying the determination was portion of a reorganization of the diplomatic corps aft Assad's fall.

Jaafari had been 1 of the astir well-known planetary representatives of the erstwhile regime. He had been vocal successful his defence of the Syrian authorities during the country's 14-year civilian war, including his denial it had carried retired chemic weapons attacks.

Moscow has supported Damascus since the aboriginal days of the Cold War, recognising its independency successful 1944 arsenic Syria sought to propulsion disconnected French assemblage rule.

Syria is besides location to 2 important Russian subject bases - the Hmeimim airbase successful Latakia state and a naval installation astatine Tartous connected the coast. Russia is seeking to clasp power of these arsenic it builds ties with the country's caller leadership.

(Reporting by Reuters and Tmour Azhari; Writing by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Giles Elgood)