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World|politics|October 27, 2016 / 04:06 PM
Russia has withdrawn its request to Spain to refuel warships after NATO outcry

AKIPRESS.COM - NATo is against Russia has withdrawn a request to refuel warships in Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta, after NATO allies said their carrier battle group could be used to target civilians in Syria, according to Reuters.

Britain said earlier it had raised concerns with NATO ally Spain over its decision to allow three ships in the Russian flotilla to resupply in Ceuta on their way to the eastern Mediterranean. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said all allies were aware of NATO's concerns about the Russian mission.

The Spanish government said it had granted permission in September for the three Russian ships to dock in Ceuta between Oct. 28 and Nov. 2 in line with its long-standing practice of allowing Russian Navy ships to visit its ports.

The Foreign Ministry said it had asked the Russian Embassy in Madrid for clarification after reports that the three ships would support attacks on the embattled Syrian city of Aleppo.

"The Russian Embassy in Madrid has just informed us that it is withdrawing the request for permission for stopovers for these ships and these stopovers have therefore been canceled," the ministry said after saying earlier that it was reviewing the Russian request.

The Russian Embassy in Spain confirmed that Moscow had withdrawn a request for the warships to refuel in Ceuta. It gave no reason for the change of heart.

NATO is monitoring the eight-strong carrier battle group from northern Russia on its way to the eastern Mediterranean, where alliance officials fear it will launch fighter bombers to hit rebels in northwestern Syria early in November.

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