Russia defends weapons sales to Syria

NEW YORK, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Russia Monday rejected U.S. contentions weapons sales to Syria are further destabilizing the Middle East.

"We are doing exactly what many other arms producers are doing," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in New York.

Lavrov said Russia mainly supplies Syria with defensive weapons and then follows up with inspections to be sure the weapons are not resold, RIA Novosti reported.

"All of our sales are completely transparent and in line with both our international obligations and our national export control laws -- some of the toughest in the world," Lavrov said.

Lavrov said Russia stands willing to be investigated if evidence exists that Russia is upsetting the balance of power in the Middle East.

U.S. and Israeli authorities have accused Syria of supplying Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants with Russian-made anti-tank missile systems.