Do More With Reuters
Partner Services

Israel to press Russia on arms sales to Iran, Syria

Mon Oct 6, 2008 3:59pm IST
 
Email | Print | | Single Page
[-] Text [+]

By Allyn Fisher-Ilan

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will press Russia during a visit starting on Monday not to sell advanced missiles and weapons technology to Iran and Syria.

Addressing his cabinet on the eve of the two-day trip, Olmert said he would discuss issues of "special, immediate concern" including the supply of weapons to "irresponsible elements".

Olmert, caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed following his resignation last month in a corruption scandal, meets Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov later on Monday.

Israeli defence sources, revising earlier statements that a deal between Moscow and Tehran was imminent, said on Sunday Iran had not received Russia's advanced S-300 anti-aircraft system yet though the countries were still discussing a purchase.

The S-300 would help Iran fend off any Israeli or U.S. air strike against its nuclear facilities. Analysts believe a purchase of the system by the Iranians could accelerate the countdown to military action designed to deny them the bomb.

Russia has denied intending to sell Iran the S-300, the best version of which can track 100 targets and fire on planes 120 km (75 miles) away. The system is known in the West as the SA-20.

'DEFENCE COOPERATION'  Continued...

Russian Finance Minister Alexey Kudrin poses with his G20 colleagues and central bank leaders during the family photo at the G20 Finance Ministers meeting at a hotel in St. Andrews, Scotland. REUTERS/POOL New
Pledge to support economies

G20 financial leaders pledged to prepare strategies to end emergency support for their economies, but to keep the aid flowing until recovery was assured.  Full Article | Related Story 

Photo
Photo
Miss England gives up crown over brawl reports Friday, 6 Nov 2009 

LONDON (Reuters) - Beauty pageant winner Miss England gave up her title on Friday after reports she had been involved in a nightclub brawl with another beauty queen.  Full Article