MOSCOW, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The Russian foreign ministry on Thursday denied media reports that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is seeking asylum in Russia, calling them ridiculous. Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said he would not "think up any anecdote on that score," and declined to further comment on such rumours, Xinhua news agency reported.

Some Western media reported that al-Assad had transferred a large amount of money to Russian bank accounts and would seek asylum in Russia.

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said earlier this week that Russia was "disappointed" by the Syrian armed opposition groups that decided to quit from a ceasefire arrangement included in a six-point peace plan proposed by UN-Arab League joint special envoy for Syria Kofi Annan.

Press reports said in a meeting with Bogdanov on Thursday, Syria's ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad had pledged his government's commitment to the Annan plan, as well as its willingness to end violence and start political dialogue with the opposition.

-- BERNAMA