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Source: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/526585.html
Russia Denies Syrian Anti-Aircraft Missile Deal
(Ha'aretz) Aluf Benn, Amos Harel, and Yoav Stern - Russia denied Thursday it was in talks with Syria over arms sales after media reports on Wednesday that Israel was trying to stop Moscow selling missiles to Damascus. "We do not have any negotiations with Syria on the possible shipment of such missiles," Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said during a visit to Washington. Israel is asking Russia not to supply Syria with advanced shoulder-launched, surface-to-air, SA-18 missiles, known as Igla, which Russia has promised to sell to Damascus. The U.S. State Department on Wednesday expressed strong opposition to the missile deal, and hinted at threats of sanctions on Syria should the deal take place. Spokesman Richard Boucher said Washington is against the sale of deadly military equipment to Syria, a state that shelters terrorists.