Russia will send two ships to the east Mediterranean to strengthen its naval presence because of the “well-known situation” there, Interfax news agency said on Thursday referring to the Syria crisis.

The agency quoted a source in the Armed Forces’ General Staff as saying an anti-submarine vessel and a missile cruiser would be sent in the coming days because the situation “required us to make some adjustments” in the Naval Force.

The Defense Ministry was not immediately available for comment.

Meanwhile, a draft resolution authorizing the use of military force against Syria stalled in the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday due to Russian “intransigence,” the United States said.

“We see no avenue forward, given continued Russian opposition to any meaningful Council action on Syria,” State Department Deputy Spokeswoman Marie Harf said as Western powers prepare for a military strike on Syria following last week use of chemical weapons in the war-torn country.

 

Source: Reuter; Interfax