Russia Gives 50 APCs To Palestinians

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Alarabiya.net reported today that Russia has delivered 50 armored personnel carriers to Jordan where they are now waiting to be transferred to the Palestinian security forces.

"The official ceremony for the receiving of the special equipment took place on July 19 in Jordan where it was delivered by sea," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The Russian armored vehicles will be there until the Palestinian and the Israeli sides agree on the time and ways of its transfer to the western bank of the Jordan River," it added.

"We consider it important to do it without delay," the statement said.

The Palestinians will receive the armored vehicles at no charge, and Russian specialists have already taught Palestinian drivers and mechanics how to operate them, the foreign ministry added.

Moscow has friendly relations with the Palestinians dating back to the Soviet era, when it provided support to Yasser Arafat's Palestine Liberation Organization.

Source: Alarabiya.net, July 20, 2010