Syria says Turkey must display confiscated gears to prove its claims

DAMASCUS, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Syrian Information Ministry on Thursday rejected Turkish claims that the Syrian commercial plane grounded forcefully in Turkey was carrying ammunition, challenging Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to display the confiscated gears to prove the claims.

In a statement carried by the state TV, the ministry said the Syrian commercial plane was not carrying any ammunition or military gears, adding that Erdogan's remarks "lack credibility."

"He (Erdogan) must display those gears to prove his claims at least for his people," the ministry said.

Turkish authorities ordered the Syrian passenger plane, travelling from Moscow to Damascus, to land late Wednesday over intelligence of "non-civilian cargo."

Erdogan said Thursday that the Syrian passenger plane was carrying Russian-made munitions destined for Syria's defense ministry.

With debates surrounding the intercepted Syrian plane in full swing, Erdogan said the plane was forced to land because a civilian plane cannot carry materials used in the defense industry.

The recent incident cast oil to the fire between both countries after their relation hit a new low last week following mutual cross-border firing. Enditem