Special to WorldTribune.com

MOSCOW — The Russian Navy sent three vessels to the port of Beirut in 2013 on
invitation of the Lebanese military and government.

“This visit was on invitation of the Lebanese side,” the Russian Defense
Ministry said.

The Russian Navy port call to Beirut took place amid an intensification
of the Sunni revolt in neighboring Syria, where Moscow operates the Navy’s only foreign port. Officials acknowledged that the Kremlin was evacuating Russian dependents, including those of military personnel in Syria.

But the Russian Defense Ministry said the port call in Lebanon did not
reflect the search for a replacement for the Syria port of Tartous. Until
2012, the Russian Navy deployed 600 personnel at Tartous, also targeted for an upgrade program.

“Tartous will remain as before the official point to repair Russian
ships in the Mediterranean,” the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The vessels were
identified as the Russian Navy’s frigate Jaroslav Modry as well as two
assault ships — Kaliningrad and Alexander Shabalin.

In a statement on March 21, the ministry dismissed reports that the
Russian Navy would abandon Tartous and seek other ports in the
Mediterranean. The ministry said Tartous would serve the new Mediterranean
task force.

“The reports that Russian warships will use Beirut rather than the
Syrian port of Tartous as a resupply point are nothing but pure
speculation,” the statement said. “To link this event with a plan to abandon
the Tartous base is incorrect, to say the least.”

  Beirut, Jaroslav Modry, Kaliningrad and Alexander Shabalin assault ships, Mediterranean Sea, port of Tartous, Russian frigate, Russian Navy makes rare port call in Lebanon