An official Syrian media denied on Sunday reports that Syria was cooperating with North Korea on a nuclear facility, saying those "were Israeli media fabrications."

 

The government-run Damascus Radio made the denial in a commentary, referring to reports on the recent violation of its airspace by Israeli warplanes, which said they were targeting a clandestine nuclear installation, partially manned by North Korean experts.

 

The US administration and the whole world know that Syria does not have nuclear technology and that it has been among states calling for clearing the region of weapons of mass destruction, the commentary said.

 

It noted that such forgeries are groundless and mere lies which were intended to coerce Syria into subjugation and surrender.

 

Syria, however, will not be pressured to alter its stances, it added.

 

According to Syria's official media reports, Israeli aircraft entered the Syria's airspace on September 6 and dropped ammunition in northern Syria. Syrian defense forces opened fire at the violated aircraft and expelled them out.

 

Syria has made it clear that it reserves the right to respond to the Israeli violation of its airspace.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 17, 2007)