Despite Israeli concerns: Russia to deliver cruise missiles to Syria

Anatoly Serdyukov and Gates

Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov stated there should be no cause of concern for Washington and Tel Aviv regarding the possible transfer of P-800 Yakhont cruise missiles from Syria to Hizbullah. "We will supply Yakhont to Syria, we will fulfill the contract," Serdyukov was quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS news agency on Friday.

Serdyukov was speaking in Washington during a visit to the Pentagon.

Russia's arms deal raised the U.S. and Israel concerns that the missiles could be transferred to Hizbullah. "The U.S. and Israel ask us not to supply Syria with Yakhont. But we do not see the concerns expressed by them that these arms will fall into the hands of terrorists," the Russian minister added.