By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Though political tensions and violence in Syria are slowly receding, Russians have been advised to abstain from trips to the country, the foreign ministry said in a statement Wednesday.
Large-scale protests against the regime of President Bashar Asad started in mid-March in the southern city of Deraa and swept through the country, claiming the lives of almost 150 people, according to official reports. The opposition says at least 500 have been killed.
The situation remains tense in some Syrian regions, with frequent reports of armed clashes between supporters of various political groupings, entailing civilian and police casualties,” the ministry said.
“We recommend Russian citizens to abstain from tourist trips to Syria at the moment, while those already in the country should avoid visiting the city of Deraa and the province where it is located,” the ministry said.