Kremlin aide denies arms sales to Syria

MOSCOW, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- A senior Kremlin official Wednesday denied allegations that Russia had supplied Syria with weapons including missiles, Interfax news agency said.

Russian presidential adviser Aslambek Aslakhanov said reports of possible Russian arms deliveries to Syria could be considered misinformation.

"A false report has been deliberately released that Russia is supplying Syria with various types of armaments. We realize perfectly well the purpose for which this is being done," he told a scientific conference according to the news agency report.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has expressed concern over the reports and they have led to new tension in Russian-Israeli relations.