Russia plans naval bases in Mideast and African ports- report

"It is difficult to say how much time it will take to create the bases for our fleet in these countries, but within a few years this will be done without question," Reuters quoted the official as telling Itar-Tass.

 

"The political decision on this question has been taken," the official said.

 

The deputy chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces however told RIA Novosti News Agency that Russia believes it is too early to name any countries where its navy would like to deploy "basing points".

 

"At this stage it is too early to talk about the geographic location of the basing points. Negotiations are under way with the governments of the countries in question. Any premature disclosure could have a negative impact on the course of these negotiations," Col. Gen. Anatoly Nogovitsyn said.

 

The Kremlin is seeking to play a more assertive role in world politics and has been using its military to project its new-found confidence beyond its borders.

 

Russian nuclear-capable strategic bombers regularly fly around the globe on patrols, and warships traverse the oceans in another show of force by Moscow.

 

Analysts have said that the Syrian port of Tartus could be revived as a Russian naval base. During the Cold War, the Soviet navy had a permanent presence in the Mediterranean, using Tartus as a supply point.

 

Russian media reported that opening a naval base in the Libyan port of Benghazi was among the main issues discussed during Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's visit to Moscow in October last year.