Russian military denies seeking Mediterranean naval base in Syria

Russian military officials denied a report that Moscow hopes to create a permanent naval base in Syria that would give it a Mediterranean outpost and represent a major shift in the regional security balance. Russia has begun work on deepening the Syrian port of Tartus and is also widening a channel in another Syrian port, Latakia, the Kommersant newspaper said, citing an official at Russia's embassy in Damascus, Vladimir Zimin. Full Story