BEIRUT (AP) - Syria's Foreign Ministry has denied claims that the government is using Scud missiles against rebels.

The ministry said Thursday that the reports are nothing more than a conspiracy.

On Wednesday, the U.S. and NATO said President Bashar Assad's forces had fired Scud missiles at rebel areas. Two U.S. officials said the army had fired Scud missiles from Damascus into northern Syria. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the matter.

One official estimated the army fired more than a half dozen Scuds.