Syrian conflict spillover fears rise

AFP/Damascus

Russia insisted yesterday it would deliver anti-aircraft missiles to war-torn Syria despite international criticism and a border-area attack killed three Lebanese soldiers, adding to growing fears of a wider conflict.

Israel warned it would act if the Russian delivery went ahead, and Syria’s top rebel commander gave Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shia movement, a 24-hour ultimatum to stop fighting alongside regime forces.

“If the attacks of Hezbollah against Syrian territory do not stop within 24 hours, we will take all measures to hunt Hezbollah…,” Syrian rebel chief Salim Idriss told Al-Arabiya news channel.

Moscow claimed its planned to deliver to Damascus the S-300 missiles - designed to intercept aircraft or other missiles like Patriots Nato has already deployed on Turkey’s border with Syria - were part of existing contracts.