Russian sources deny President al-Assad to visit Moscow

Russian diplomatic sources in the Syrian capital, Damascus, have denied news rumored in Moscow saying that President Hafez al-Assad will visit Russia during next week.

The Russian sources said to the Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Am on Tuesday that what has been rumored in this respect cannot be taken seriously, especially during this phase, in which the new Russian government has not been formed yet and while Russian President Boris Yeltsin is on the coast of the Black Sea in the city of Sweitche on a vacation for treatment.

The sources added that Yeltsin's success in eliminating measures taken to impeach him will be an impetus to set a new date for President al-Assad to Moscow, adding that it is "evident that such a visit will not be made before forming the new Russian government."