Cuba reacts to weapons find

Cuba's foreign ministry says weapons found aboard a North Korean cargo ship in Panama were loaded at one of its ports.

But it said in a statement the 240 tonnes of armaments were 'obsolete defensive weaponry' being sent to North Korea for repairs.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CUBAN TV PRESENTER RAFAEL SERRANO, SAYING:

"The agreements signed by Cuba in this area are based on the need to maintain our defence capability and protect out national sovereignty. The Republic of Cuba reiterates its firm and irrevocable commitment to peace, disarmament, including nuclear disarmament, and respects international law."

The armaments were discovered with 10, 000 tonnes of sugar.

The ship was stopped last week as it headed into the Panama Canal.

Suspicions were raised when it switched off its tracking device.

Panamanian authorities found undeclared armaments including disassembled rockets, anti-aircraft missile batteries and two fighter jets.

The crew has been