DAMASCUS, Syria (AFP) – Syria strongly denied on Thursday accusations by Israel that it was in the process of delivering Scud missiles to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

“For some time now, Israel has been running a campaign claiming that Syria has been supplying Hezbollah with Scud missiles in Lebanon,” a foreign ministry statement said.

“Syria strongly denies these allegations which are an attempt by Israel to raise tensions in the region,” the statement added.

“Israel is seeking to create a climate that will pave the way for an eventual Israeli attack to avoid responding to the demands of a just and comprehensive peace.”

The United States voiced alarm about the Israeli reports on Wednesday, warning any such deliveries to Hezbollah would put Lebanon at “significant risk.”

“If such an action has been taken, and we continue to analyse this issue, it would represent a failure by the parties in the region to honour UN Security Council Resolution 1701,” State Department spokesman PJ Crowley said.

Crowley was referring to a 2006 truce resolution that ended a devastating 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.

“And clearly it potentially puts Lebanon at significant risk,” he added.

Israeli President Shimon Peres accused Syria on Tuesday of supplying the Scuds but a US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was unclear if the transfers had yet taken place.