Turkish authorities grounded this Damascus bound plane citing concerns that it may be carrying military eqiupment.

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said the plane --en route from Moscow -- was was carrying Russian-made munitions destined for Syria's defence ministry.

Syria insists the plane was carrying legitimate cargo and say Turkey illegally intercepted the plane and searched it.

Syrian Air Engineer Kasser Haitham.

SOUNDBITE: Syrian Air Engineer Kasser Haitham saying (Arabic):

"Turkish authorities came and opened the doors and started an inspection. They took pictures of it. They opened the boxes on which there were labels that said electronic equipment. There wasn't any dubious material."

Turkish authorities seized some of the cargo from the plane, which was grounded for several hours before being allowed to take off.