MOSCOW, Sept 16: Russia has shelved a plan to give the Palestinians 50 armoured personnel carriers after Middle East peace brokers told Moscow it could harm efforts to stabilise the region, diplomatic sources said on Friday.

One diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Russia could still go ahead with a separate plan to supply Palestinians with two transport helicopters as announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in April.

“The parties involved said the (carriers) deal would not be advisable,” the source said, without specifying which Middle East brokers had moved to block the incentive.

Another diplomat linked the possible delay to the recent chaos in the Gaza Strip that followed Israel’s withdrawal from the territory.

During a visit to the Palestinian territories in April, Putin vowed to supply the helicopters for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.—Reuters