'Fundamental tasks resolved': Putin orders Russian air force to pull out of Syria

Moscow: The Russian air force deployed in Syria would start withdrawal from Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said. [caption id=“attachment_2580258” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Vladimir Putin. AP[/caption] The Russian president said this on Monday at a meeting with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Xinhua News Agency reported. Putin said the decision was discussed and coordinated with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, adding that “the fundamental tasks set for the Russian armed forced in Syria were resolved,” according to an online Kremlin press release. “It was agreed to withdraw main body of the Russian air forces. At the same time Russia would preserve an air flight control center in Syrian territory to monitor the ceasefire regime,” the press release said. IANS