MEXICO, December 12 (RIA Novosti) - Nicaragua's president said on Friday that despite a political deadlock in the country Russian warships will be able to visit the Central American state.

Under Nicaraguan law, the National Assembly must give permission for visits and military exercises involving foreign states in the Latin America country. The Nicaraguan opposition has prevented parliament from working since November over claims of vote rigging in local elections.

"I am performing my duties, and we are preparing to meet the Russian warships, which will enter Nicaragua's territorial waters in the near future," Daniel Ortega told military officials.

He said it was his duty to step in and implement the law while parliament is paralyzed by the opposition which he said is refusing to comply with the law.

Russia's Admiral Chabanenko missile destroyer and two support ships are to visit the port of Bluefields in Nicaragua on December 12-15 following a joint naval exercise with Venezuela and a visit to Panama.

Nicaragua is the only country to back Russia in recognizing the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states following a brief Russian-Georgian conflict in August.