The Russian navy will make more use of Syrian ports as part of increased military presence in the Mediterranean, a Russian diplomat said on Wednesday. The announcement comes as tensions rise between Moscow and the West over Russia's role in Georgia. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad backed Russia's recent offensive on Georgia in support of a separatist province during a visit to Russia last week. Al-Manar: NATO Attack on Abkhazia, S.Ossetia is War on Russia: Russia's envoy to the NATO alliance said in an interview published Wednesday that military actions against Abkhazia and South Ossetia would amount to "a declaration of war on Russia," "If NATO suddenly takes military actions against Abkhazia and South Ossetia, acting solely in support of Tbilisi, this will mean a declaration of war on Russia," Dmitry Rogozin told the Russian daily Vremya Novostei. This Is London: MILITARY HELP FOR GEORGIA IS A 'DECLARATION OF WAR', SAYS MOSCOW IN EXTRAORDINARY WARNING TO THE WEST. International Clearing House: War With Russia Is On The Agenda. Pravda: NATO’s navy delivers weapons to Georgia under the guise of humanitarian aid.