Diplomat: Russia to arm Syria regime with anti-aircraft missiles to prevent foreign intervention
http://www.haaretz.com ^ | 5/28 | The Associated Press, Gili Cohen and Reuters
Posted on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 8:48:49 AM by RummyChick
A top Russian diplomat confirmed that Moscow will provide Syria with state-of-the art air defense missiles to prevent foreign intervention in the country.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov wouldn't say whether Russia has shipped any of the long-range S-300 air defense missile systems, but added that Moscow isn't going to abandon the deal despite strong Western and Israeli criticism.
Ryabkov said the deal helps restrain some "hot heads" considering a military intervention in Syria.
Russia has been the key ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime, protecting it from the United Nations sanctions and providing it with weapons despite the civil war there that has claimed over 70,000 lives.
Ryabkov's statement comes a day after European Union's decision to lift an arms embargo to Syrian opposition.
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