In an apparent show of solidarity with the Syrian government, Russia docked a large naval flotilla led by an aircraft carrier in the Syrian port of Tartus on Sunday, despite mounting western criticism of Damascus's continuing bloody crackdown on anti-regime protesters.
AFP quoted the Syrian press as saying that the six-day port call was meant to strengthen ties with embattled Syrian President Bahsar Assad.Official Syrian news agency SANA quoted a Russian naval officer as saying "the port call is aimed at bringing the two countries closer together and strengthening their ties of friendship,” AFP reported.
