Russia's foreign minister: Syrian plane forced to land in Turkey carried legal radar parts
October 12, 2012 - 11:12 AM
MOSCOW - Russia's foreign minister says the Syrian plane that was forced to land in Turkey was legally carrying Russian radar parts for Syria.
Sergey Lavrov insisted Friday the shipment complied with international law. He said the plane carried no weapons and that the "electric equipment for radars" of was a legitimate cargo.
Lavrov added, however, that the cargo was of "dual purpose," meaning it could have civilian and military applications. He said the Russian company that sent it to Syria will demand that Turkey return it.
The Syrian Airbus A320 was intercepted by Turkish fighter jets on its way from Moscow to Damascus on Wednesday and forced to land in Ankara.
Turkey's prime minister said Thursday that it was carrying ammunition and military equipment for the Syrian Defence Ministry.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012