BEIRUT (AP) —

The head of Russia’s military general staff says rebels of the Free Syrian Army are receiving weapons — comments that come just days after a Kremlin spokesman denied that Russia was doing that.

Gen. Valery Gerasimov was quoted Monday by Russian news agencies as saying Russia is supporting the FSA with airstrikes and “help with weapons, ammunition and materiel.” The statement appeared to suggest Russia was supplying the weapons, but the military could not be reached for clarification.

President Vladimir Putin said the rebels, who oppose Moscow’s ally Syrian President Bashar Assad, were receiving weapons from Russia, but Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later said Putin meant Assad’s army was getting weapons and the rebels were receiving only air support.

FSA’s chief of staff has denied receiving Russian weapons.