Pentagon Says Gates Worried About Russia Arms Sale To Syria

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates outside the Pentagon on September 16.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is concerned Russian plans to sell antiship cruise missiles to Syria could destabilize the region.

The Pentagon said Gates discussed the matter on September 20 with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, whose country opposes the move.

The Pentagon said Gates also raised the issued with a Russian delegation visiting the Pentagon last week, asking the Kremlin to be "mindful" of the strategic consequences of such sales.

Also on September 20, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said he would repeat his call for a Middle East free of nuclear weapons when he addressed the UN General Assembly later this week.

compiled from Reuters reports