Lebanon, Russia to discuss arms deal

Lebanon's defense minister planned to visit his counterpart in Moscow to discuss the purchase of heavy Russian weaponry, officials said.

Tanks, helicopters, armored vehicles and air defense systems were ticketed for discussion, an unidentified Lebanese General Staff official said. RIA Novosti reported.

A senior Lebanese Defense Ministry official said there would be "no political conditions" attached to the arms deals in the talks scheduled to start Monday.

The United States has provided military assistance to Lebanon to help fight terrorism but most U.S. support has been limited to light weapons.

Lebanon was reported also to have been in talks on arms supplies with China and Iran.