Russian Sale Missile to Syria

Russia says it will supply state anti-ship missiles to Syria, as had been promised, although opposed by Israel and the United States.Russian Defence Minister Serdyukov Antoly said he had informed the U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in a meeting at the Pentagon that Russia would fulfill his contract in 2007 with Syria.Serdyukov said he disagrees with the U.S. and Israel are concerned that the missile fell into the hands of terrorists. Israel worried the Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah, will acquire the P-800 cruise missile Yakhont, and endanger Israel's ships.

Earlier in a related development, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen called for the Russians are willing to participate in a European missile defense shield. According to Rasmussen, Moscow's participation would build mutual trust within the field of security over nuclear weapons and conventional balance. He added that Russia would not include creating dividing lines in Europe.