Russia supplying arms to Syria under old contracts: Lavrov

Press−service of ANTONOV Company, September 28, 2012

AN-148
Family

In cooperation with more than 214 enterprises of 15 countries of the world ANTONOV Company develops a family of AN-148 regional twin-jets intended for passenger, cargo-passenger and cargo transportations on regional and short-haul air routes. According to the requirements of potential customers, partners on AN-148 programme develop new versions of the aircraft family.

These airplanes are high-technology and competitive products, which meet all the modern world requirements, safety and ecological standards as well as potential operators’ demands. They are intended for passenger, cargo−passenger and cargo transportations on regional and short−haul air routes. New airplanes are intended to replace the AN−24, Tu−134, Yak−40 and Yak−42.

NATO secretary general concerned about retreat of democracy in Ukraine

Brussels - NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has expressed his concern about the situation in Ukraine in connection with the recent parliamentary elections.

At a monthly press conference held in Brussels on Monday, while commenting on the preliminary findings of international observers, he described the elections as "a step backwards for Ukrainian democracy."

However, the North Atlantic Alliance, he said, "stands ready to further assist Ukraine in its reforms."

"Ukraine deserves strong democratic institutions and a political system that respects the rule of law. And these elections did not advance those courses," Rasmussen said.

"I want to reiterate my deep concern that politically motivated convictions of opposition leaders prevented them from running in these elections. An independent, sovereign and stable Ukraine firmly committed to democracy and the rule of law is the key to Euro-Atlantic security," he said.

Russia supplying arms to Syria under old contracts: Lavrov

Reuters) - Moscow is supplying arms to Syria under Soviet-era commitments and were meant for defense against external threats, not to support President Bashar al-Assad, Russia's foreign minister told an Egyptian newspaper.

Russia sold the Syrian government $1 billion worth of weapons last year and has made clear it would oppose an arms embargo in the United Nations Security Council, contending that rebels would get weapons illegally anyway.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Egypt's state al-Ahram daily in an interview published on Monday that the arms still being sent to Damascus were part of old Soviet contracts and did not violate international law.

"We do not side with any faction in Syria's internal battle," Lavrov was quoted as saying. "As for the Russian-Syrian technical military cooperation, it aims to support Syria's defense capabilities in the face of external political threat, and not to back Bashar al-Assad."

He accused foreign powers of arming the opposition to topple the government in breach of international law, adding that such weapons could fall into the hands of al Qaeda fighters.

Western powers back the rebels but say they have stopped short of sending arms. Qatar, which has been an outspoken critic of Assad and called for a no-fly zone, has also denied providing arms but says it does give logistical and humanitarian support.

"It was the Soviet Union that supplied Syria with main weapons but at present we are in the process of finalizing the implementation of our commitments which are linked primarily to the supply of some air defense systems," Lavrov told al-Ahram.

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