SYRIA SEEKS S-400 ANTI-MISSILE SYSTEM FROM RUSSIA

MOSCOW [MENL] -- Syria has been negotiating the purchase of an advanced anti-missile system from Russia.

Russian industry sources President Bashar Assad sought to procure the S-400 anti-missile defense system during his visit to Russia in January. The sources said Assad was briefed on the S-400 but did not sign any agreement.

"Assad is very interested in the S-400 and apparently Syria has the money to buy this," an industry source said.

The sources said Russia has sought to sell the S-400 to Iran, Syria and the United Arab Emirates. Russia has touted the S-400 as providing a more effective defense than the U.S. PAC-3 anti-missile system.