Russia And Syria Discuss Israeli Strike

Explosion at the Jamraya military research center in Damascus on April 5.

Russia and Syria have discussed Israel's airstrike on a military complex near the Syrian capital.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke by phone May 6 with his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Moallem.

Russia's Foreign Ministry said Lavrov expressed concern over the Israeli action, saying it could further destabilize the situation in the region.

Lavrov called for restraint and emphasized the need to respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The ministry said that Russia is still clarifying and analyzing the circumstances of the raid.

Israel's predawn airstrike on May 5 killed at least 42 Syrian soldiers, according to Syrian opposition activists, with some 100 still unaccounted for.

It was the second Israeli strike inside Syria in three days.

Russia's Foreign Ministry warned that the escalation of hostilities could destabilize the situation along Israel's border with Lebanon and lead to the "internationalization of the extremely dangerous and destructive internal conflict in Syria."

Israel has not confirmed the latest attacks officially, but has reinforced anti-missile batteries in the north.

Based on AP and Reuters reporting