Russia to cease arms, fighter planes delivery to Assad until situation in Syria stabilizes

Moscow, July 10 (ANI): Russia has decided to stop arms supply to Syria until the situation in that country stabilizes.

A deputy director of Russia's service for military co-operation said the delivery of 40 Yak-130 fighter jets agreed late last year would be affected.

"While the situation in Syria is unstable, there will be no new deliveries of arms there." he said on the sidelines of the UK's Farnborough Airshow, Russian media reported.

According to The Independent, Russia is one of Syria's largest arms suppliers and the cessation of deliveries could scuttle up to four billion dollars in outstanding contracts.

The announcement is the strongest signal yet of Russia's hardening stance against its long-time ally, and will come as a blow to Assad, who yesterday met with Kofi Annan to discuss a political initiative to bring an end to the crisis.

According to the paper, in another indication that Moscow may be distancing itself from Assad, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with Syrian opposition leader Michel Kilo in Moscow yesterday.

Lavrov reportedly said his government is actively trying to work with the Syrian and various other opposition groups to implement the Annan plan. (ANI)