Air corridor above Iraq a major weapons route to Syria: Report

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The air corridor over Iraq has emerged as a supply route for weapons for the beleaguered government of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, including rockets, anti-tank missiles, rocket-propelled grenade and mortars, The New York Times reported late Saturday.

Citing unnamed US officials, the newspaper said that to the disappointment of the administration of President Barack Obama, US efforts to persuade the Iraqis to randomly inspect the flights have been largely unsuccessful.

Iran has an enormous stake in Syria, which is its staunchest Arab ally and has also provided a channel for Iran's support to the Lebanese Islamist movement Hezbollah, the report said.

According to the paper, Iran appears to have been tipped off by Iraqi officials as to when plane inspections would be conducted, thus helping Teheran avoid detection.