Egyptian jet reroutes to avoid Syria violence

Beirut: Officials at Cairo's international airport say a commercial jet on its way to the Syrian capital turned back because of violence near Damascus airport.

The officials said the Egypt Air flight from Cairo was rerouted about 30 minutes after takeoff when Egyptian officials received word from their counterparts in Damascus that the area near the airport was not safe.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.

The Syrian government did not immediately comment.