Russia denies arms sales to Iraq

Sources from the state-owned Russian Rosvooruzheniye company for arms sales announced it did not sign any secret deals without the acknowledgement of the Russian Foreign Ministry and government.

Commenting on a report published by the British daily Sunday Telegraph alleging that Moscow and Baghdad signed a contract for Iraq to buy Russian arms, the company's sources asserted on Monday that the company is strictly committed to its activities towards international rules and obligations, which the Russian government already abides by.

Meanwhile, upon his arrival in Paris on Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov denied the Sunday Telegraph report. He stressed that his country is committed to UN Security Council resolutions, which ban the delivery of weapons to Iraq.

Moreover Russia, has denied the British report on a military deal between Moscow and Baghdad to renovate Iraqi planes and defense systems.

In a statement issued in Moscow on Monday, the Russian government said it commits itself to UN Security Council resolutions concerning Iraq. It described these reports as "provocative."

The chairman of the military and international cooperation at the Russian Defense Ministry, Gen. Leoned Ivachov, denied such reports and described them as "fabricated and flagrant provocation."