Syrian leader Bashar Al-Assad held talks with Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev that reportedly covered purchases of Russian arms.

A diplomatic source in Moscow told Interfax news agency on Wednesday Russia and Syria were preparing a number of deals involving anti-aircraft and anti-tank missile systems.

Syria, a foe of Israel in the Middle East which stands accused by the United States of supporting international terrorism, also become the second country after Belarus to voice public backing for Russia's operation in Georgia.

"We understand the essence of the Russian position and its military response," Assad told Medvedev at the start of their meeting in the Kremlin leader's Black Sea residence, Bocharov Ruchei.

"We believe Russia was responding to the Georgian provocation," the Syrian president said.

Syria is interested in Russia's Pantsyr-S1 air defence missile system, the BUK-M1 surface-to-air medium-range missile system, military aircraft and other hardware, Interfax quoted its diplomatic source as saying.

Russian media quoted Assad as saying ahead of the visit that Syria was ready to negotiate hosting Russian surface-to-surface Iskander missiles, mid-range weapons which Moscow says are capable of beating any missile defence. Neither leader mentioned arms deals in their initial remarks. - Reuters