Russia not to ship offensive weapons to Syria

A senior Russian lawmaker said Thursday that Moscow would not ship offensive weapons to Syria. "Russia does not intend to stir it up ... As for the armament deliveries, we will by no means convey offensive weapons," Mikhail Margelov, head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council, upper house of the Russian parliament, told reporters after talks with visiting Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Zeev Elkin. Holding an international conference on Syria was the only way out of the long-lasting conflict, he said. But Elkin said the Israel is still worried, since "weapons that can be considered defensive in Russia may turn into offensive ones in the Middle East." Assuring Israel was not providing "any assistance or support" to the Syrian opposition, the diplomat said his country would consider participation in the international conference if invited.