20110218
reuters

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt has approved the passage of two Iranian warships through the Suez Canal, an army source said on Friday.

Israel's right-wing foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, had described Iran's plans to send the ships through the canal enroute to Syria as "provocative".

Israel had no immediate comment after approval was given.

"Egypt has agreed to the passage of two Iranian ships through the Suez Canal," the army source told Reuters.

State television and the official news agency subsequently reported the news, without citing sources.

An army source earlier said the Defence Ministry was considering a request by the Iranians to allow the naval ships to cross the strategic waterway.

Egypt's military had said the request had stated that the Iranian ships did not carry military equipment or nuclear or chemical contents. It said the two ships were currently in the Red Sea, which lies at the canal's southern end.