WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States expressed concerns on Thursday over Russia's reported sale of a missile system to Syria and warned that the Russian move could destabilize the Middle East region.

    "Obviously we have some concerns about it. Syria, of course, continues to be on the list of countries that are state sponsors of terrorism. This is a particular time in the Middle East and we do not want to do anything that would destabilize the situation," US National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley said at a White House briefing.

    Hadley said the United States has raised the concerns with the Russian government "in an appropriate way" and "we are hopeful and confident that the Russians will take them into account."

    Russia said Wednesday it intended to sell a new air defense missile system to Syria despite Israeli objection.

    "Negotiations are now taking place on delivery to Damascus of the Strelets close-range anti-air system," Interfax news agency quoted an unnamed Russia defense ministry official as saying.

    However, the official denied that Moscow had any plans to sell longer-range tactical "Iskander" missiles to Syria. Enditem