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FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in a video conference call dedicated to the situation on the labour market amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia May 27, 2020. Sputnik/Alexei Nikolskyi/Kremlin via REUTERS/File Photo

Russia to hold talks with Syria about obtaining more facilities, maritime access: Ifax

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin has ordered Russia’s defence and foreign ministries to hold talks with Syria for Moscow to obtain additional facilities and maritime access in Syria, the Interfax news agency cited a government resolution as saying on Friday.

Russia has two permanent military facilities in Syria, an air base in Latakia province used for air strikes against forces opposing President Bashar al-Assad, and a naval facility at Tartus on the Mediterranean.

Russia is a close ally of Syria.