Russian President Vladimir Putin has reassured Israel that its sales of short-range missile systems to Syria will not threaten Israel's security nor upset the military balance in the region, the Interfax news agency reported on Friday.

Speaking in an interview with Israel's Channel One television earlier in the week, excerpts of which were shown on Russian television Friday, Putin confirmed Russia's missile deal with Syria, saying it involves short-range anti-missile systems capable of hitting targets within the range of vision. Putin will visit Israel on April 27-28 during his Middle East tour next week.

Russia announced in February that it was negotiating the sale of the Strelets short-range air defense system to Syria, raising US and Israeli concerns that the move could destabilize the Middle East region. Israel has been trying to apply as much pressure as it can to deter Russia from selling Syria the missiles systems.

"Such systems are mounted on trucks and it is impossible to hand them over to terrorist organizations unnoticed," Putin was quoted by Interfax as saying.

Russia has always "behaved in a highly responsible manner. All its actions are absolutely open. They do not disturb the balance in the region and do not create threats to the region's nations," the president said.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, however, did nothing to hide his worries about Russian missile exports to Syria.

"What concerns us with the shoulder-launched missiles and the anti-aircraft missiles is that they can find their way into the hands of terrorist organizations," Sharon told Israel Radio on Thursday.

In the interview, Putin also made clear of Moscow's outright opposition to Iran's nuclear arms program.

"We are categorically opposed to the spread of nuclear weapons across the planet. We are also categorically opposed to any nuclear arms programs in Iran," Putin said.

Russia wants to be sure that Iran's nuclear programs are not designed to develop nuclear weapons, he said.

"That is why Russia will insist the Iranian party should abandon programs aimed at developing uranium-enrichment systems and nuclear fuel cycle technologies," Putin said.

Source: Xinhua