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15 October 2012 [08:01] - Today.Az
Syria has decided to prohibit Turkish passenger planes from flying over its territory in retaliation against Ankara's decision to ban Syrian flights from Turkish airspace, Press TV reported.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said the decision, "in accordance with the principle of reciprocity," was in retaliation for Turkey's decision to halt Syrian civil aviation flights over its territory, the SANA news agency reported.
The statement added that the move was to take effect at midnight (2100 GMT) on Saturday.
"The Syrian government regrets the Turkish government's provocative decision, which primarily targets the interests of the Syrian people," it added.
En route from Moscow to Damascus, the plane was reportedly carrying 35 passengers on board, including 17 Russian nationals.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the decision was made based on information that the aircraft might be transporting "certain equipment in breach of civil aviation rules."
The Turkish authorities allowed the plane and its passengers to leave Ankara nine hours after landing, but they seized part of the cargo.
The move irked Russia, which demanded that Turkish officials provide an explanation, and infuriated Damascus, where the transport minister condemned Ankara's move as an act of "air piracy [which] contradicts civil aviation treaties."
Syria has demanded that Ankara return the confiscated equipment and pay compensation for grounding the airplane.
Syrian aviation officials have also vowed to pursue the case and to make a formal complaint about the Turkish action in international fora.
En route from Moscow to Damascus, the plane was reportedly carrying 35 passengers on board, including 17 Russian nationals.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the decision was made based on information that the aircraft might be transporting "certain equipment in breach of civil aviation rules."
The Turkish authorities allowed the plane and its passengers to leave Ankara nine hours after landing, but they seized part of the cargo.
The move irked Russia, which demanded that Turkish officials provide an explanation, and infuriated Damascus, where the transport minister condemned Ankara's move as an act of "air piracy [which] contradicts civil aviation treaties."
Syria has demanded that Ankara return the confiscated equipment and pay compensation for grounding the airplane.
Syrian aviation officials have also vowed to pursue the case and to make a formal complaint about the Turkish action in international fora.
/Trend/
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