Moscow begins evacuation of Russians from Syria

[bemildred]

Source: AP

The Russian government has said it is sending two planes to Lebanon to evacuate Russians from Syria, the first such effort since the uprising against Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011.

The emergency situations ministry said two of its planes would fly to Beirut on Tuesday to bring home more than 100 Russians.

The announcement appears to reflect Moscow's increasing doubts about Assad's ability to cling to power and growing concerns about the safety of its citizens. Russia's foreign ministry has said it has contingency plans in place to evacuate thousands of Russians from Syria.

Russia has been the main ally of Assad since the start of the conflict, using its veto power at the United Nations security council to shield the Syrian president from sanctions.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/21/evacuation-russians-syria

[reverend_tim]

1. Good News, Moscow believes Assad’s fall is coming. I am just a little fearful of what may follow.

[bemildred]

2. It does sugggest the time for procrastination and dithering is past.

They are not the only people leaving by any means. If I am not mistaken we are heading into an all-out civil war.

[Thinkingabout]

3. Perhaps Russia knows the end is near for Assad and they are trying to protect their citizens

[another_liberal]

4. That second shoe . . .

That second shoe is off the foot and on its way down.

[pampango]

5. Interesting that they were flying out of Beirut rather than Damascus. There is a BBC story

states that the Russian airline don't use Damascus any more.

Scores of Russians are to be flown home after fleeing the violence in Syria - but Russia insists it is not the start of a mass evacuation.

Up to 150 people, who have left Syria for neighbouring Lebanon, are expected to board two flights from the Lebanese capital Beirut, starting on Tuesday.

"The issue is that the Russian airline is no longer flying to Damascus, so we are helping some 100, maximum 150 people to leave Syria via Beirut, which is very close," the unnamed diplomat said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21140041

[UnrepentantLiberal]

6. This would be a good time for another Assad press conference.