"This information cannot be labelled as anything but a myth," Mikhail Margelov, head of the upper house Federation Council's foreign affairs committee, was quoted as saying by the RIA Novosti agency.

The lawmaker, seen as close to President Vladimir Putin, added that any sales of Russian missiles to the Middle East were "impossible."

Margelov said that US and Israeli officials had repeatedly expressed concerns about possible Russian weapons sales to Syria.

"There has not been any contract signed. It's just as likely as announcing the sale of the Lenin ice-breaker to Bahrain," he said.

Israel charges that Russia is planning to sell its latest-generation Iskander missiles to Syria, which harbours several militant groups, supports the Lebanese-based militia Hezbollah and is technically at war with the Jewish state.

On Wednesday, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov categorically denied that Moscow intended to sell missiles to Syria. Washington had warned Syria against such a deal and threatened sanctions.

"We have no talks with Syria about such missiles," Ivanov told reporters in Washington. "There are no negotiations under way with Syria."

Margelov said that Russia was under no international legal obligation not to provide such missiles to Syria, but "a political decision has been taken not to sell them."

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