Belarus president denies claims about country sending servicemen to Syria

By Ali Cura

MINSK, Belarus (AA) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko denied claims Tuesday that up to 200 Belarusian servicemen would be sent to Syria to serve alongside Russian forces.

In a speech at a Belarusian Security Council meeting, Lukashenko said reports were "fake" that Moscow decided to send Belarusian troops to Syria.

He noted his surprise by the reports and said: "According to current laws, this (sending troops abroad) is not possible without a presidential decision. I did not send anyone there (to Syria)."

Expressing that the Damascus administration had long requested medical assistance from him long ago, Lukashenko said that is not possible at the moment due to the coronavirus pandemic situation in his country.

"We have nothing to do there. If a doctor is needed, we will help," he added.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin instructed the Russian defense and foreign ministries on Monday to negotiate and sign an agreement with Belarus on providing humanitarian aid to Syria.

The draft agreement, published on the Russian government's website, suggested sending up to 200 Belarusian servicemen to Syria "exclusively for humanitarian purposes outside the combat zone."

* Writing by Jeyhun Aliyev from Ankara, Turkiye​​​​​​​