Syria hopes to overcome oil embargo with Russian help

Western sanctions imposed on Syria have cost the country almost $4 billion and caused shortages in fuel products, Oil Minister Sufian Allaw said on Wednesday, Now Lebanon cites Agence France Presse as saying.

"The oil sector has lost almost $4 billion because of the unjust European and US sanctions, blocking exports and imports of oil and oil derivatives," he told a news conference.

"The measures taken by the EU and United States are behind this crisis. They want to put pressure on the Syrian people by widening the embargo," the minister said.

"But we will overcome the new difficulties," he said, pointing out that Syria was now importing 50 percent of its domestic gas and gasoil needs.

Allaw said negotiations were taking place with Moscow to sign a long-term accord for domestic gas and fuel oil imports to Syria.

A Venezuelan vessel loaded with 35,000 tons of fuel oil docked in Syria on Monday and another ship is expected shortly, he said.