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        Russia Says Missile System for Syria Will Deter Foreign Attacks

   A senior Russian diplomat says Moscow plans to provide advanced air
   defenses to Damascus to deter foreign military action against Syria`s
   pro-Russian government, which is embroiled in a civil war.
   Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Tuesday the planned
   transfer of S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to the government of Syrian
   President Bashar al-Assad will be a "stabilizing factor" for the
   country. He told reporters that Moscow believes the sale will deter
   what he called "some hotheads" from considering options to send foreign
   forces to intervene in the Syrian conflict.
   But, Ryabkov gave no indication of when Russia will transfer the air
   defense system. Damascus signed a contract to buy it several years ago.
   Israel and the United States have urged Russia not to proceed with the
   sale, fearing the air defense system will threaten Israeli security and
   complicate any military action they may take in Syria.
   Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon toughened that message on
   Tuesday, warning of possible retaliation if the Russian missile
   technology is transferred.
   "Obviously from our perspective it is a threat at this stage. I cannot
   affirm that things have been expedited. The shipments are not on their
   way yet, this I can say. I hope they will not leave and if, God forbid,
   they reach Syria, we will know what to do."
   Western sources said Israel carried out several air strikes in Syria
   earlier this month, apparently to stop the Syrian government from
   transferring sophisticated weapons to the pro-Assad Lebanese militant
   group Hezbollah. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility
   for the strikes.
   The Russian deputy foreign minister also criticized an EU decision to
   lift its arms embargo on the main opposition Syrian National Coalition
   while maintaining sanctions against the Syrian government.
   Ryabkov accused the 27-nation bloc of "pouring more fuel on the fire"
   of Syria`s civil war and "damaging" prospects for a U.S. and
   Russian-proposed peace conference to resolve the two-year conflict.
   The EU decided to lift the embargo on Syrian rebels at a meeting in
   Brussels on Monday. But, EU officials gave mixed messages about when
   such weapons transfers might begin.
   Some officials said all EU members agreed to delay any arming of the
   rebels until August 1st to allow the U.S.-Russian peace initiative to
   proceed. But, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Tuesday
   there is no requirement to wait until August to send weapons, although
   he reiterated that London has no immediate plans to do so.
   Syrian National Council spokesman Louay Safi told the French news
   agency that the EU move is a "positive step" but may be "too little,
   too late."
   In separate remarks to the news agency, a spokesman for the SNC-backed
   Free Syrian Army criticized the EU, saying that delaying any arms
   transfers by two months would leave the Syrian people vulnerable to
   continued "genocide" by the Assad government.
   Meanwhile, there were more signs of Syria`s conflict spilling over into
   Lebanon with deadly results. Lebanese security sources said several
   rockets fired from Syria struck the northeastern Lebanese town of
   Hermel near the Syrian border on Tuesday, killing a woman and wounding
   several other people. Hermel`s Shi`ite population supports Hezbollah
   militants who have crossed into Syria to fight alongside Mr. Assad`s
   troops.
   Lebanese authorities said unknown gunmen also killed three Lebanese
   soldiers manning a checkpoint near the northeastern village of Arsal
   before dawn Tuesday.
   Lebanese Sunnis have used border villages such as Arsal to send weapons
   and fighters into Syria to help the country`s predominantly Sunni
   rebels fight the Assad government.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/russia-says-missile-system-for-syria-
   will-deter-foreign-attacks/1669786.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/russia-says-missile-system-for-syria-will-deter-foreign-attacks/1669786.html