Syria denies Israel's claim

Syria's Foreign Minister, Walid al-Moallem, has denied Israel's claim. The foreign minister was speaking during a visit to Iran.

At a joint news conference with his Iranian counterpart on Wednesday, al-Moallem said the seized ship did not carry Iranian weapons to Syria.

He also rejected it was carrying military materials to manufacture weapons in Syria. He said the ship was carrying imported goods from Syria to Iran.

It was unclear why al-Moallem said the ship was headed in the opposite direction claimed by Israel.

Syrian officials were not immediately available for comment in Damascus. Syria also ruled out interference in the internal affairs of Lebanon.