Russia said on Wednesday it wanted to supply Syria with advanced missile systems, a move certain to anger the United States which accuses Syria of having links to terrorism. Russia had long denied reports it wanted to sell missiles to Syria, its Cold War-era ally. The United States and Israel have urged Moscow to drop any such plans, saying Russian arms supplies would only strengthen militants in the Middle East.

"Talks are underway with this country to sell it Strelets air defence short-range missile systems," the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

The statement said Strelets missiles are not man-portable and can only be used when attached to a heavy vehicle - which officials believe makes them less attractive to militants than the relatively cheap and easy-to-use shoulder-fired missiles.

Earlier this week, a senior US diplomat in Moscow said the United States remained concerned over any arms trading with Syria that could lead to missile technology falling into the hands of terrorists.

Copyright Reuters, 2005