Israel on Sunday described as irresponsible the reported sale by Russia of P-800 Yakhont cruise missiles to Syria, saying it could threaten the strategic balance in the region. On Friday, Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov stated in Washington that Moscow would fulfil a 2007 contract to supply Yakhont cruise missiles to Damascus.
"This decision translates into a very poor demonstration of responsibility by a country which sees itself as influential and which claims to act in favour of regional stability," a senior Israeli government official was quoted as saying by AFP. "These weapons could affect the strategic balance in a fragile region which has only just begun peace negotiations," he said.
