Israel: Olmert concerned over Russia selling weapons to Syria, Iran

By NNN-KUNA,

Gaza : Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will seek Tuesday to persuade Russian President Dmitry Medvedev not to sell weapons to Iran and Syria, Israel Radio said.


Support TwoCircles

“Premier Olmert had asked for the stoppage of selling Russian weapons to Syria and Iran during his meeting with Foreign Minister Lavrov last night,” an anonymous assistant for Olmert was quoted by the radio as saying.

“Most of these Russian-made weapons are transferred to Hezbollah in Lebanon, ” the assistant added.

Jerusalem is particularly concerned that sales of Russia’s S-300 anti-aircraft missile system could threaten Israel’s air superiority over both states. And if Iran received these missiles, it would be able to protect its nuclear sites more effectively, making an aerial strike on these sites more difficult.

Olmert, who is on a two-day visit to Moscow, is scheduled to meet Medvedev in the Kremlin at midday.

Olmert landed Monday at Moscow’s Domodedovo International Airport and proceeded to a meeting and dinner with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Israeli daily of Yedioth Ahronoth Monday had quoted Minister Lavrov as saying to Olmert that Moscow was committed to prevent Tehran from achieving any progress in its pursue of acquiring nuclear power.

SUPPORT TWOCIRCLES HELP SUPPORT INDEPENDENT AND NON-PROFIT MEDIA. DONATE HERE