Assad in Russia
צילום: איי פי
Assad Defends Missile Deal
Syrian leader dismisses Israeli objections to weapons purchase; says missiles needed for defensive purposes
TEL AVIV – Syrian President Bashar Assad has dismissed Israeli objections over a reported missile deal with Russia.
The weapons are needed for defensive purposes only, the Syrian leader said.
“It sounds as if Israel is saying it wants to attack Syria, but it doesn’t want Syria to protect itself,” Assad said, according to Russian News Agency Novosti.
The Syrian president, who is currently in Russia, said the missiles are needed for defensive purposes, in order to prevent enemy jets from reaching Syrian territory. His comments came during a speech before students at the Moscow International Relations Institute, which granted him an honorary doctorate degree.
Assad also said that he does not intend to discuss the missile deal during his visit. Other Russian and Syrian officials handle matters related to military trade, he said, and added that he would be discussing technological and military cooperation with Russia.
Assad reportedly also called on Israel to renew peace negotiations, with no preconditions, according to the Interfax news agency.
“Syria is interested in renewing the peace process,” Assad was reported as saying. “We expect that the United States, in its role as patron, will go back to the talks, and that Europe and Russia also play an important role in peace negotiations.”
