Beirut: A Lebanese military official says troops have found a rocket in an area close to the border with Israel but that the weapon was not ready for launching.

The official says the rocket was found Friday near the town of Hasbaya, about 15 kilometers north of the Israeli border.

The official did not identify the rocket type. He says troops are searching the area looking for more rockets. He spoke on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations.

The find comes amid an exchange of warnings between Israel and Lebanon over Israeli claims that Syria has supplied the Hezbollah group with Scud missiles. Lebanon and Syria denied the charge.

In October, Lebanese troops found and dismantled four rockets near the border.