MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Sunday, the Syrian army, backed by militias and Russian Aerospace Forces, fully liberated Syria's historic city of Palmyra, which was under Daesh control for about a year. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the liberation of Palmyra is a turning point in the fight against Daesh.
"There are concerns that some sides who support and finance terrorists may intend to create alternatives following a series of terrorists' defeats in [neighboring] Syria, and Lebanon could be of the possible alternatives," the minister said.
On Wednesday, Lebanon's Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri held a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who expressed Moscow's readiness to strengthen the capacity of the Lebanese armed forces.
"[Lebanon] needs help of major powers to enhance our independence, so that no one could interfere in our internal affairs and the Lebanese people themselves decide their fate and choose their leadership without outside directives," Bassil said commenting on Lavrov's words.
Since launching the anti-terrorist mission at Syrian President Bashar Assad’s request on September 30, Russia’s Sukhoi Su-25, Su-24M and Su-34 attack aircraft, with the support of Su-30 jets, conducted thousands of sorties that set back and disrupted terrorist organizations from advancing in the Arab republic.
Earlier in March, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the pullout of the bulk of the Russian contingent in Syria after a broad completion of its objectives.