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 rumors.

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

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told reporters on Thursday that Russia will not insist on keeping the al-Assad government in power, and that the Syrian people have the right to decide their own country's fate.

"It's not our question. It is a matter for Syrian political and social forces," the Interfax news agency quoted the senior diplomat as saying.

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.

After a meeting with Bogdanov on Thursday afternoon, Syria's ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad "confirmed" the Syrian government's commitment to the Annan plan, as well as its willingness to end violence and start political dialogue with the opposition, the Russian foreign ministry said.