Assad Says Syria Has Received Russian Anti-Aircraft Missiles

Made the comments on Lebanese TV

BEIRUT (AP) -- The Syrian president has told Lebanon's Hezbollah-owned TV station that Damascus received the first shipment of Russian air defense missiles, according to remarks released by the station Thursday.

Bashar Assad's comment on the arrival of the long-range S-300 air defense missiles in Syria could further ratchet up tensions in the region and further undermine efforts to hold U.N.-sponsored talks with Syria's warring sides.