MOSCOW [MENL] -- Syria has sought to conclude defense contracts with Russia.

Russian officials said Syria has sought to finalize agreements for the purchase of a range of air and ground systems. They said most of the accords would focus on modernization of Soviet-origin land platforms in the Syrian military.

On Monday, Syrian Chief of Staff Gen. Ali Habib arrived in Moscow for talks with Russian military commanders and senior Defense Ministry officials. Officials said Habib would remain in Russia for up to a week to advance negotiations for weapons contracts.

Already, President Vladimir Putin has denied several of Syria's weapons requests, officials said. They said this included Syria's request for the Russian Iskander-E rocket, S-300PMU mobile multi-channel air defense system and Su-27 fighter-jets.