Syria receives first shipment of Russian S-300 system: Lebanese sources

During an interview with Lebanon’s Al-Manar TV, President Assad also said that the second shipment of the Russian system will be delivered to Syria soon.
 
The Syrian president stated that he would not prevent any group from liberating the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. He added that his country would respond to any Israeli aggression.
 
The complete interview is expected to be aired later on Thursday.
 
On May 29, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that Moscow may reconsider its commitments to restrictions on the delivery of arms to the Syrian government, following a recent decision by the European Union to end an arms embargo on the militants in Syria.
 
After Moscow said it would go ahead with the delivery of S-300 system to Damascus on May 28, the Israeli regime threatened to take action against such moves.
 
However, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said Damascus would give an “immediate” response to any act of aggression by Israel.
 
    “Syria will not let any Israeli aggression go unanswered without retaliation. The retaliation will be the same size as the aggression, and the same type of weapons will be used,” the Syrian foreign minister stated.
 
 
Russia says that the shipment of the missile defense system is aimed at deterring foreign intervention in Syria.
 
Syria has been gripped by turmoil since March 2011 and the foreign-sponsored militancy has taken its toll on the lives of many people including large numbers of Syrian soldiers and security personnel.