ASSAD MULLS BIGGEST ARMS DEAL IN 20 YEARS

MOSCOW [MENL] -- President Bashar Assad has been mulling an effort tocomplete what could mark the biggest Syrian arms deal in 20 years. Russian officials said Assad plans to discuss the purchase of Russianlong-range rockets, long- and short-range anti-aircraft systems, anti-tankmissiles and other weapons during his visit to Russia. Asad was scheduled toarrive in St. Petersburg on Jan. 24 for a four-day visit in what officialssaid would focus on defense and military cooperation between Russia andSyria.