Past debts ground Syrian minister in Athens

The airplane was delayed in taking off as the Syrian carrier it belonged to had outstanding debts to fuel companies. the issue was resolved and the airplane was cleared for take off in the afternoon.

According to reports, the Syrian deputy minister for foreign affairs Faisal Mekdad and his assistant for European Affairs Ahmad Arnous were aboard the aircraft heading for the Geneva II conference that will take place at Montreaux, trying to find a solution to the Syrian crisis.

According to Syrian television, the plane had the requisite refueling documents. Initial reports had erroneously attributed the delay to flight plans not tendered to civil aviation authorities.

There were 26 passengers aboard the Tupolev 134 airliner, departed in late afternoon for Switzerland.

It should be noted that government vice president and foreign minister Evangelos Venizelos is in Switzerland to participate in the conference.