Cyprus allows ship carrying munitions to Syria to depart after it changes its destina

[jaxx]

Cyprus allows ship carrying munitions to Syria to depart after it changes its destination
By Associated Press, Updated: Wednesday, January 11, 12:17 PM

NICOSIA, Cyprus — A Russian ship that made an unscheduled stop in Cyprus while carrying tons of arms to Syria was technically violating an EU embargo on such shipments, say Cypriot officials.

The vessel, however, was allowed to continue its journey Wednesday after changing its destination.

The cargo ship, owned by St. Petersburg-based Westberg Ltd., left the Russian port on Dec. 9 for Turkey and Syria, which is 65 miles (105 kilometers) east of Cyprus, the officials said.

<..> Customs officials boarded the ship to examine its cargo, but couldn’t open and inspect four containers in the hold because of “the confined space” they were stored in, the Cypriot Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Nevertheless, the officials determined they were holding a “dangerous cargo.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/midd...story.html

Wow.

[jaxx]

Turkey holds trucks taking suspect Iranian cargo to Syria
January 10, 2012 05:49 PM

ISTANBUL: Turkish customs officials intercepted four trucks on Tuesday suspected of carrying military equipment from Iran to Syria, a Turkish provincial governor.

The governor of Kilis province said the trucks were confiscated at the Oncupinar border crossing into Syria after police received information about their cargo, according to Dogan news agency.

"The four trucks were confiscated by customs. They are alleged to be carrying military equipment," Governor Yusuf Odabas said. He said experts were being sent from Ankara to examine the cargo.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-...z1jBRtgb2W