Russia not discussing Assad's future with US: official

MOSCOW - Agence France-Presse

A handout picture made available on 03 July 2012 by the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), shows President Bashar al-Assad. EPA photo

Russia is not discussing Bashar al-Assad with the United States, a senior foreign ministry official said on Wednesday after a report said the West was pushing Moscow to host the Syrian president in exile.
 
"The situation with the future of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is not being discussed with the United States," Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the Interfax news agency.