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Russian arms 'to deter foreign intervention in Syria' Russian arms 'to deter foreign intervention in Syria'
(35 minutes later)
Russia says it will go ahead with deliveries of S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Syria, and that the arms will help deter foreign intervention.Russia says it will go ahead with deliveries of S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Syria, and that the arms will help deter foreign intervention.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the missiles were a "stabilising factor" that could dissuade "some hotheads" from entering the conflict.Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the missiles were a "stabilising factor" that could dissuade "some hotheads" from entering the conflict.
Russia also criticised a decision by the EU not to renew an arms embargo on the Syrian opposition.Russia also criticised a decision by the EU not to renew an arms embargo on the Syrian opposition.
Mr Ryabkov said the move would harm the prospects for a peace conference.Mr Ryabkov said the move would harm the prospects for a peace conference.
He said the contract for the S-300 missile systems had been signed several years ago.He said the contract for the S-300 missile systems had been signed several years ago.
"We consider these supplies a stabilising factor and believe such steps will deter some hotheads from considering scenarios that would turn the conflict international with the involvement of outside forces," he was quoted as telling journalists."We consider these supplies a stabilising factor and believe such steps will deter some hotheads from considering scenarios that would turn the conflict international with the involvement of outside forces," he was quoted as telling journalists.
Russia's envoy to Nato, Aleksandr Grushko, said Moscow was acting "fully within the framework of international law", in delivering the arms.Russia's envoy to Nato, Aleksandr Grushko, said Moscow was acting "fully within the framework of international law", in delivering the arms.
"We are not doing anything that could change the situation in Syria," he said. "The arms that we supply are defensive weapons.""We are not doing anything that could change the situation in Syria," he said. "The arms that we supply are defensive weapons."
'We know what to do'
The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says the Russian statement could be seen as an escalation. He says there had been reports that Moscow was holding back on delivering the arms, in exchange for an Israeli commitment not to carry out further air raids over Syria.The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says the Russian statement could be seen as an escalation. He says there had been reports that Moscow was holding back on delivering the arms, in exchange for an Israeli commitment not to carry out further air raids over Syria.
Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon said the Russian missile systems had not yet left Russia.
"I hope they will not leave, and if, God forbid, they reach Syria, we will know what to do," he said.
Russia has repeatedly blocked efforts to put more pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.Russia has repeatedly blocked efforts to put more pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Along with the US, it has been leading efforts to organise an international peace conference on Syria next month.Along with the US, it has been leading efforts to organise an international peace conference on Syria next month.