19 Feb 2013 16:38

Russia supplies specialized hardware to Syria under earlier contracts - Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW. Feb 19 (Interfax) - Russia supplied specialized hardware to Syria under earlier contracts and the supplies were legal, Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov told a Tuesday press conference in Moscow.

"We have expressed our position many times. Yes, the deliveries were made under earlier contracts. We did not keep that secret," Gatilov said.

In his words, illegal arms supplies to Syria have become extensive.

Militarization of the Syrian conflict leads "to more violence, casualties and damage," the deputy minister said.