Disputes over arming sides in Syria cloud U.S.-Russian Geneva peace drive

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[QUOTE](Reuters) - Disputes between Russia and the West over arming warring sides in Syria on Tuesday dimmed prospects for peace talks that were also clouded by disarray among President Bashar al-Assad's political foes.

As Western nations debate what action, if any, they should take on Syria, Assad's main allies - Russia, Iran and Lebanon's Shi'ite Hezbollah group - have been closing ranks behind him.

Russia, which has protected Assad diplomatically since the Syrian uprising erupted in March 2011, said it would deliver an advanced S-300 air defense system to Damascus despite U.S., French and Israeli objections, arguing that it would help deter "hotheads" intent on intervention in the conflict.

Moscow also accused the European Union of "throwing fuel on the fire" and directly damaging the chances of convening a peace conference by letting its own arms embargo on Syria expire.

France and Britain, the EU's strongest military powers and most ardent advocates of scrapping the embargo, said they had not yet decided to arm Syrian rebels, but did not have to delay such action until EU foreign ministers next meet on August 1.

"We think this (S-300) delivery is a stabilizing factor and that such steps in many ways restrain some hotheads... from exploring scenarios in which this conflict could be given an international character with participation of outside forces," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.

The S-300s can intercept manned aircraft and guided missiles and their delivery could improve Assad's chances of retaining power. Western nations criticize such arms deliveries in much the same terms as Moscow assails weapons supplies to rebels.

Israel's defense minister said the air defense missiles had not yet left Russia, but hinted at military action if they were delivered.[/QUOTE]
[url]http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/28/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE94R0KU20130528[/url]