|
2019-04-04 Syria-Lebanon-Iran
|
|
Iran’s Presence on Syrian Coast Angers Russia
|
[SYRIANOBSERVER] Iran is set to take control of the facility in the fall and will be used to restores Iran's presence in the Mediterranean reports Asharq al-Awsat.
Russia has expressed its anger over Damascus’ granting of Iran the right to operate the western Latakia port on the Mediterranean. This marks the first time that Tehran is given a foothold on the Mediterranean near Russia’s bases in Tartus and Latakia.
On February 25, Syrian Transport Minister Ali Hammoud had requested that the port director form a team to hold talks with Iranian officials on the management of the facility. The decision was taken at Iran’s request to be given authority over the port in return for the financial and military support it has shown Damascus throughout the past eight years of war.
The port has been operated for years by Syria and a French company, but the agreement with Iran will see Tehran operate the facility starting the coming fall.
The French company may take the issue to court to demand compensation from the Syrian government after it annulled its operating contract. The deal with Tehran has also angered Russia that used to alone control Syria’s territorial waters, revealed a western diplomatic source.
Damascus’ move shows the tightrope it is walking between Russia and Iran and demonstrates its bias towards the latter in giving it priority in contributing to Syria’s reconstruction.
In January, the joint committee, headed by Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis and Iranian Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, signed nine agreements on Syria’s railroads, reconstruction, investment, combating terrorism financing and money laundering, education and culture, reported Syria’s SANA state news agency. Khamis said at the time that the "historic" agreements reflect Damascus’ "seriousness" in offering facilitations to private and public Iranian companies.
|
Posted by Fred 2019-04-04 00:00||
||
Front Page|| [11129 views ]
Top
File under: Govt of Iran
|
|
12:11 Skidmark
12:01 Crusader
11:55 Grom the Affective
11:52 Crusader
11:50 Crusader
11:40 swksvolFF
11:11 HeavyG
11:10 Angstrom
11:07 HeavyG
11:07 Angstrom
11:06 DarthVader
11:05 HeavyG
10:58 alanc
09:43 Mullah Richard
09:27 Warthog
09:11 Mercutio
09:07 AlmostAnonymous5839
08:52 Matt
08:24 Matt
08:20 SteveS
07:43 Procopius2k
07:42 BrerRabbit
07:42 Procopius2k
07:39 Procopius2k
|
