Syria bans weapons transport

DAMASCUS, Syria, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- A senior Syrian official said Friday the country does not permit weapons to be transported to Lebanon through Syrian land, a report said.

Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik cited concerns about Syrian border control during a trip to Damascus. She was reassured by senior government officials that the country's borders are well guarded, the Jerusalem Post reported Friday.

"Syria controls the border. All weapons smuggling to Lebanon is not conducted through the Syria-Lebanon border, but rather through the sea," an official reportedly told Plassnik.

Syrian officials reportedly said the idea of using members of the European Union to monitor borders was not needed because Lebanon is not their enemy.

"Assad told the Austrian foreign minister that his country is investing its utmost in order to achieve peace and justice throughout the region," a spokesman said.