LEKHTUSI (Leningrad region) January 31 (RIA Novosti) - A Russian decision to supply armored personnel carriers to Palestine will depend on the security and stability of the region, the Russian defense minister said Tuesday.

"I can confirm that the plans to supply APCs will be carried out in accordance with the regional situation," Sergei Ivanov said.

Ivanov said Russia had always based its decisions to supply military equipment and arms on the security and stability of the region in question. Moscow had only provided countries in volatile regions with defensive weapons, he added.

Russian arms exporters had signed contracts totaling a record of about $6 billion in 2005, Ivanov said.

A source close to Russia's negotiations with Palestine said last December that Russia planned to donate 50 APCs and two Mi-17 transport helicopters to Palestine. "We will deliver the equipment to Palestine as aid," the source said.

He said details of the deliveries had been agreed on by the agencies involved, but did not give a precise timeframe for the deal. He also said the issue had been agreed with Israel.