The launches took place at 10:16 am Moscow time (0616 GMT). (Reuters)

Russian state-owned news agencies say Russian radar systems have detected two ballistic missiles fired from the central Mediterranean toward the eastern part of the sea.

Related: Barack Obama reaches out personally to lawmakers over Syria vote

RIA Novosti and ITAR-Tass on Tuesday quoted a Defense Ministry employee saying that the early warning radar station in southern Russia detected the launches at 0616 GMT (2:16 a.m. EDT)

Related: Syria appeals to UN to prevent western aggression against it

The Defense Ministry would not confirm the report but said it would issue a statement soon. In Washington, a Pentagon press officer could not confirm the report.

Related: Assad behind chemical attack, report French intelligence services

The United States, which has war ships in the Mediterranean, is considering strikes against Syria for an Aug. 21 alleged chemical weapons attack in a Damascus suburb.

There were no reports of missile strikes.

ALSO READ Dubai welcomes 2014 with fireworks display, breaks Guinness world record

Please read our terms of use before posting comments