RUSSIA: Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Syria-bound ship carried air defence systems and helicopters but Russia doesn't send any battleships to Syria
Record ID:
860369
RUSSIA: Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Syria-bound ship carried air defence systems and helicopters but Russia doesn't send any battleships to Syria
- Title: RUSSIA: Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Syria-bound ship carried air defence systems and helicopters but Russia doesn't send any battleships to Syria
- Date: 22nd June 2012
- Summary: ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA (JUNE 21, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE AND CARS IN FRONT OF LENEXPO CENTRE, ST. PETERSBURG INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM'S VENUE
- Embargoed: 7th July 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Russian Federation
- City:
- Country: Russia
- Topics: International Relations,Defence / Military
- Reuters ID: LVA41WKYE1U9KUZCM8S4QUAECDDH
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: A Russian cargo ship that turned back home while travelling to Syria was carrying three repaired helicopters as well as air defence systems, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday (June 21) in St. Petersburg, but he disclaimed allegations of supplies of any arms which could be used against civilians.
"We are sending no battleships to Syria, we have been saying publicly that we are implementing the contracts which we have to supply arms to Syria. Those armaments are entirely defensive and they mostly consist of air defence systems which can not be used against population, which can only be used to respond to an outside aggression," Lavrov told the Kremlin-funded RT television channel during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Britain said on Tuesday (June 19) that the Alaed had apparently headed back toward Russia after a London-headquartered insurer withdrew coverage from the vessel, saying it had been told of allegations it was carrying weapons.
"The ship which is being discussed these days indeed was carrying air defence systems and it was carrying three helicopters which have been repaired in Russia under the contracts signed in 2008. Those are Soviet helicopters and they have been in Syria from Soviet days, and in 2008 there was a contract to repair them. And this was done and the helicopters were being shipped on board the vessel, and they are still to be assembled you know, when they are delivered they have to be assembled, and the entire process will take not less than three months. So to speak about something which we just sold to Syria and which is being used in action, is not true at all."
Western nations want Russia to stop delivering arms to Syria but there is no U.N. embargo on such supplies and Russian President Vladimir Putin said this month that Moscow sends no arms that could be used in a civil conflict.
Lavrov said Russia was not in violation of anything and would continue to meet its obligations, set by the (U.N.) Security Council. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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