Diplomatic developments surrounding the civil war in Syria are covered widely this morning. The Guardian claims that two Israeli diplomats have flown to Moscow in order to persuade Russia not to complete a sale of the S-300 advanced anti-aircraft system to the Syrian government. It is thought that such sophisticated weaponry could threaten Israel’s regional air dominance. Meanwhile, the Telegraph and the online edition of the Guardian reports that Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov slammed as “odious” a United States-sponsored resolution at the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council which condemned the Assad regime’s human rights abuses and the use of Hezbollah to further its’ military campaign. Meanwhile, the Guardian online says that the UK has reported three further cases of chemical weapons use by Assad’s forces to the UN Secretary General.

There is deep discontent among Syria’s opposition leadership according to the Independent and the online edition of the Times. Both report on criticism levelled at the opposition’s political leadership in exile by the rebel groups fighting in Syria. The discord comes ahead of plans to bring opposition leaders and representatives of the Assad regime together for talks, sponsored by both the United States and Russia in Geneva next month. The Guardian reports that a senior foreign policy advisor to Turkey’s Prime Minister has said that if the Geneva talks fail to bring progress, then the international community should arm Syria’s opposition. A separate item in the Guardian says that there is significant wrangling over the proposed talks, with some opposition leaders insisting that Assad must be excluded from any political process. Meanwhile, Russia appears insistent that Iran must attend the talks, with France and Saudi Arabia particularly vocal in opposing Tehran’s participation. According to the Financial Times online, Iran has extended a huge credit line to Syria worth billions of pounds.

Meanwhile, the Times reports on the ongoing trial of Israel’s former-foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman, who is accused of fraud and breach of trust over allegations that he pushed for the appointment of a diplomat as reward for being tipped off about a police investigation. Lieberman took the stand for the first time yesterday and if found guilty of the charges could be banned from public office for seven years.

In the Israeli media, several publications focus on the recommendations approved yesterday by a ministerial committee tasked with reforming the military draft system, including a significant increase in ultra-Orthodox recruits. Disagreements over the new enlistment plan had threatened to cause serious tensions within the coalition earlier this week, with Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid even threatening to leave the government. However, the proposals were ratified by the committee yesterday, as noted by Israel Hayom, while Yediot Ahronot highlights comments by committee chairman, Yesh Atid’s Minister Yaakov Peri who insisted that he is not motivated by ill-feeling towards the ultra-Orthodox community.

Maariv reports on comments by National Security Advisor Ya’akov Amidror, who said that Israel will act if Syria makes the Russian S-300 anti-aircraft system operational. Haaretz also focuses on this story, while Yediot Ahronot covers warnings from Syria that any Israeli action would prompt an immediate Syrian response.

Israel Hayom’s headline focuses on a Knesset vote yesterday in favour of raising VAT by one per cent to a total of eighteen per cent. However, Maariv and Makor Rishon both say that top Likud officials are furious that Finance Minister Yair Lapid did not attend the vote.

Meanwhile, Haaretz and Makor Rishon cover the testimony given by former-foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman in court yesterday as he defends charges of fraud and breach of trust.