Russian parliamentarians leave Syria without meeting with president as expected

MOSCOW, May 28. /TASS/. A Russian delegation bringing together parliamentarians and social activists ends a visit to Syria and heads to the Lebanese capital Beirut without meeting with the president as it expected, a delegate from the State Duma lower house of parliament told Tass on the phone. The delegate, Alexander Yushchenko from the Communist Party, said on Tuesday that a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was not ruled out, but this has failed to happen. He said that earlier in the day members of the delegation visited a hospital to meet with wounded Syrian military. In Syria, Russian parliamentarians have met with Syrian Speaker Mohammad Jihad al-Laham, as well as with Syrian parliamentarians and Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi. Meetings focused on fight against Islamic State, Russia’s humanitarian aid to Syria and strategic military cooperation. The delegation to Syria includes members of Duma’s group for protection of Christian values, the Civic Chamber and the Russian Committee for Solidarity with the Peoples of Libya and Syria. Read more