BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - Colombia's air force claimed ownership of five missile components seized by authorities from a private airport hangar in neighbouring Venezuela.

The electronic guidance devices were being shipped from Colombia to Israel for maintenance and repairs by an Israeli arms manufacturer and do not pose a security risk, the air force said in a statement late Monday.

Venezuelan authorities discovered Saturday what they described as five missiles inside a hangar belonging to Germany's Lufthansa airline at Caracas' Simon Bolivar International Airport. The manager of the hangar was arrested, according to the attorney general's office.

"They are electronic parts that don't contain any explosives that would pose a security risk," the statement said.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Jesse Chacon said yesterday the government would ask Colombia for more information about the missile components.

In a statement released yesterday, Lufthansa said the shipment "has all the legal documentation and exportation permits."

The company said it would cooperate with Venezuelan authorities investigating the case.

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