Barak 'admits' Syria attack

His comment at a security conference in Germany was the first from a government official on the attack.

"I keep telling frankly that we said - and that's proof when we said something we mean it - we say that we don't think it should be allowed to bring advanced weapons systems into Lebanon," he said.

Israel fears that the civil war in Syria could allow militant groups to seize President Bashar al-Assad's weapons.

Rebels have criticised Mr Assad for failing to retaliate for the attack, saying it shows how weakened the military has been by the uprising.

But according to state news agency Sana the president told an Iranian official: "Syria, with the awareness of its people, the might of its army and its adherence to the path of resistance, is able to face the current challenges and confront any aggression that might target the Syrian people."

Iran pledged its continued support for the Syrian leader and officials said they hoped Syria would respond to the strike.

US officials claimed the Israeli jets hit a convoy taking anti-aircraft guns to Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

But the Syrian military said they bombed a military research facility.

Al-Ikhbariya TV purported to show images of the site on Saturday showing the battered remnants of cars and military vehicles.