Even Syrian Rebels 'Armed To The Teeth' Won't Defeat Assad: Russia

"Russia has warned Western and Arab nations against arming the Syrian rebels, saying it would only make the situation worse.

"It is clear as day that even if the opposition is armed to the teeth, it will not defeat the Syrian army, and there will simply be slaughter and mutual destruction for long, long years," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, according to RT..."

at http://www.businessinsider.com/syrian-rebels-armed-to-the-teeth-wont-defeat-assad-russia-2012-4?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+businessinsider+%28Business+Insider%29#ixzz1r6WIbIrb

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Russian destroyer heads for Syrian port: Report

"A Russian navy destroyer has set out on a planned mission to the Syrian port of Tartus, where it will arrive in a few days, reports say.

According to Russian military officials the warship left its Black Sea base of Sevastopol for the Mediterranean during the weekend and will soon arrive at Syria’s second largest port of Tartus.

Navy officials said that the ship would receive fresh supplies of food and water before carrying out planned exercises maneuvers near the Syrian coast.

"This will be a purely technical port call that is conducted by almost all Russian navy ships conducting exercises in the Mediterranean," Interfax news agency quoted a senior source in the Russian navy as saying.

The team on board the destroyer will not be leaving the ship while it is docked, the source added.

The Port of Tartus that lies on Syria's western shores is the only base used by Russia in the Mediterranean Sea."

at http://www.presstv.ir/detail/234210.html

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Exclusive: Iran helps Syria ship oil to China: sources

"Iran is helping its ally Syria defy Western sanctions by providing a vessel to ship Syrian oil to a state-run company in China, potentially giving the government of President Bashar al-Assad a financial boost worth an estimated $80 million..."

at http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/30/us-china-iran-syria-idUSBRE82T0D420120330

BRICS: Foreign interference in Syria 'unacceptable'

"The world’s five leading emerging economies, represented by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, have released a statement that condemns foreign interference in Syria.
It is important to give the Arab Republic’s government and the opposition a chance to start a dialogue, “without saying that such a dialogue is doomed to failure from the start and that only military actions can restore order,” President Dmitry Medvedev told reporters on Thursday at the conclusion of the fourth BRICS summit, held in New Delhi, India.
The Russian leader stressed that a military approach to the Syrian crisis, which is pitting anti-government militants against the government of President Bashar al-Assad, would be “the most shortsighted and dangerous.”
He stressed that the BRICS member states “will promote the success” of the Syrian dialogue.
Medvedev also suggested his partners from BRICS organize joint humanitarian aid to the Syrian people.
The Russian president noted that Russia is already providing such aid to the conflict-torn country.
The BRICS Summit also focused their attention on other pressing global issues, including reform of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)..."

at http://rt.com/politics/brics-medvedev-syria-aid-732/

Report: Russia sends special forces, counterterrorism units to Syria

"Moscow has sent elite units of Russian marines and special-operations forces to Syria to conduct "anti-terrorism" missions in the country, according to reports by Al Arabiya.
The troops were reportedly aboard two Russian warships that arrived at the country's naval base in the Syrian port city of Tartus on Monday, the news agency reports.
The ships joined up with “a Russian naval reconnaissance and surveillance ship" already anchored in Tartus, the report adds, citing sources within opposition forces in Syria.
The Russian base in Tartus is the country's only naval installation outside the borders of the former Soviet Union. A Russian naval squadron conducted a port visit in January, just as violence between rebel forces and government troops loyal to Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad was coming to a head.
The port call was interpreted by many regional observers as a show of support by Moscow for the Assad regime..."

at  http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/policy-and-strategy/216741-report-russia-sends-special-forces-counterterrorism-units-to-syria-