Russia backtracks from Syrian arms deal

1/24/2005 11:50:00 AM GMT

Russian President Vladimir Putin has informed Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that the sale of advanced surface-to-air missiles to Syria will be postponed.

Putin's turnaround came after intense pressure from both Israel and the U.S. not to sell the missiles to Syria.

According to Israeli media reports, during a phone call between Sharon and Putin, the Israeli Prime Minister told the Russian leader that the surface-to-air missile could fall into the hands of Hizbollah, the Lebanese resistance group who drove the Israeli occupying forces out of southern Lebanon.

The Syrian president Bashar al-Assad will fly to Moscow on Monday a state visit where he will meet with Putin. The two leaders are to discuss future economic agreements between the two countries.

Syria to talk peace

Meanwhile, the Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara has reiterated Syrian's interest in renewing talks with Israel.

In an interview with news broadcaster CNN, al-Shara stated, "Syria is reaching out its hand to peace, and is willing to resume negotiations with Israel. We hope Israel would accept our offer."

According to al-Shara, the formula for an accord is a 'complete peace in return for a complete withdrawal'.

The Syrian foreign minister added that Damascus supports the resumption of talks between Israel and the Palestinians, but would want to see progress on other tracks as well in order to reach the goal of a comprehensive regional peace.