Berlin, Dhu-AlQa'dah 28, 1436, Sep 12, 2015, SPA -- German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has warned Russia against involvement aimed at prolonging Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad's hold on power, dpa cited Steinmeir's remarks published in the Saturday media as saying. "I hope that Russia is not banking on a prolongation of the Syrian civil war," Steinmeier told newspapers of the Funke group of regional newspapers. "A situation must not be created that renders joint action by the international community impossible," he said, adding that there should be an end to independent meddling in Syria. Russia subsequently rejected those concerns, saying its servicemen had been in the country for many years to help with the military equipment that Moscow provides to the al-Assad government. --SPA 11:59 LOCAL TIME 08:59 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w