Two Arab states have told Israel that Syria is not planning to attack in the coming months. In its headline story on Sunday, the Tel Aviv-based Haaretz reported the messages were relayed by senior-level officials and are based in part on talks with Syrian officials.

According to the newspaper, the officials claimed the Syrian military preparations are defensive, and are a "mirror image" of similar Israeli movements in the occupied Golan Heights.

Meanwhile, Syria has received 10 batteries of advanced anti-aircraft missiles, Russian sources reported. This is the first in a series of shipments that are to include 36 such batteries. The anti-aircraft missiles are part of a $900 million arms deal, Moscow's Nezavisimaya Gazeta reported Friday, citing Russian military industry sources.

© 2007 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)