Reuters reported that Syria has reached an agreement with ally Russia to secure much needed fuel as a delegation of ministers sent by President Mr Bashar al Assad asked Moscow to help alleviate the effects of sanctions on the war torn country.

The trip was a rare foreign visit made by high level Syrian officials, whose circles of support are shrinking as violence mounts between rebel fighters and forces loyal to Mr Assad who the West and Arab countries say must leave power.

Under the deal, Syria will export its crude oil to Russia in exchange for refined oil products which Damascus sorely needs to keep its economy and military running.

Mr Qadri Jamil deputy PM for economic affairs of Syria said that Russia wants to help the Syrian people. We will deliver our oil and receive gasoline and fuel oil it will be barter. Syria is producing about 200,000 barrels per day.

However, Mr Said Hneidi oil minister of Syria said production was less than 140,000 barrels per day. Russia with China has used its UN Security Council veto to shield Mr Assad from harsher sanctions during a 17 month rebellion that in recent weeks has reached Syria's biggest cities.

Likewise, Syria is one of Russia's last Middle East footholds and hosts a Russian repair and maintenance facility on its coast. Damascus bought nearly USD 1 billion in arms from Moscow last year or some 8% of all of Russia's arms exports.

Source - Reuters

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