Israel tested a US-backed missile system in the Mediterranean on Tuesday but did not announce the launch in advance, prompting a disclosure by Russia that kept the world on edge as the US weighed an attack on Syria.

The launch was first reported by Moscow media that quoted Russian defense officials as saying two ballistic "objects" had been fired eastward from the center of the sea - roughly in the direction of Syria.

The news ruffled financial markets until Israel's Defense Ministry said that it had carried out a test-launch of a Sparrow missile. The Sparrow, which simulates the long-range missiles of Syria and Iran, is used for target practice by Israel's US-backed ballistic shield Arrow.

"Israel routinely fires missiles or drones off its shores to test its own ballistic defense capabilities," a US official said in Washington.

Reuters

(China Daily 09/04/2013 page12)