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Russia 'plans Mid-East sea bases' Russia denies naval bases report
(about 2 hours later)
Russia has taken a political decision to establish naval bases in Libya, Syria and Yemen, according to a Russian naval official quoted in the media. The Russian navy has denied a report that it plans to establish naval bases in Libya, Syria and Yemen.
The unnamed official from the general naval staff told the Russian state news agency Itar-Tass that bases would be set up "within a few years". An unnamed official from the navy was quoted by the Russian state news agency Itar-Tass saying bases would be set up "within a few years".
A senior naval official, quoted by another agency, Interfax, said the report did "not correspond to reality".
However, a separate official confirmed that the Russian navy was on the lookout for overseas bases.
"It is premature to name any countries as possible locations for naval bases," said the official from the office of the military's chief of staff.
But he said "at the same time we support the position of the navy on the necessity of the creation of bases abroad".
Russia has poured more money into its military in recent years, after years of post-communist decline.Russia has poured more money into its military in recent years, after years of post-communist decline.
It has been reported for some time to be looking for naval bases overseas.
"It is difficult to say how much time it will take to create the bases for our fleet in these countries, but within a few years this will be done without question," the official was quoted as saying.
"The political decision on this question has been taken."
There was no confirmation from the Russian defence ministry or from the other countries involved.
Expanding presenceExpanding presence
Russian media reported that Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi offered Russia a naval base in Benghazi when he visited Moscow last November.Russian media reported that Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi offered Russia a naval base in Benghazi when he visited Moscow last November.
And analysts have said that the Syrian port of Tartus, used by the Soviet navy in the Cold War, could be revived as a Russian base, the Reuters news agency reported.And analysts have said that the Syrian port of Tartus, used by the Soviet navy in the Cold War, could be revived as a Russian base, the Reuters news agency reported.
Russia has only one naval base operating in a foreign country - in Sevastopol in Ukraine. But Ukraine's president has made clear he would like that closed when Russia's lease is up in 2017.Russia has only one naval base operating in a foreign country - in Sevastopol in Ukraine. But Ukraine's president has made clear he would like that closed when Russia's lease is up in 2017.
The Russian navy has been expanding its presence on the world stage.The Russian navy has been expanding its presence on the world stage.
It held joint exercises with the Venezuelan navy last month, and visited Cuba.It held joint exercises with the Venezuelan navy last month, and visited Cuba.
It has also been taking part in the international effort to combat piracy in the waters off Somalia.It has also been taking part in the international effort to combat piracy in the waters off Somalia.