Syria mulls response to jet incident

DAMASCUS, Syria, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- An indignant Syria said Thursday it was considering what type of response it would offer to an alleged violation of its air space by an Israeli warplane.

Syrian Information Minister Mohsen Bilal told Al-Jazeera television that the incident proved that, “Israel, in fact, does not want peace” and that Syria’s senior leadership was seriously discussing its options.

Damascus said its anti-aircraft gunners fired on an Israeli jet that dropped unspecified “ammunition” and then took evasive action.

Israel had no immediate comment and some news reports indicate the item dropped by the plane was an external fuel tank.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz said Bilal had few details about the matter and wouldn't say if Syria’s response would be purely diplomatic or if there would be a military component.