Israel seizes Egypt-bound ship 'with weapons for Gaza'

ASTANA. March 15. KAZINFORM The Israeli navy has intercepted an Egypt-bound ship thought to be carrying arms for militant groups in the Gaza Strip, officials have said. Kazinform refers to BBC.

The German-owned vessel - the Victoria - was on its way from Turkey to the Egyptian port of Alexandria, it said.

It was seized some 200 miles (320km) from the shore.

Israeli forces did not meet resistance from the crew and the vessel was being taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod, security sources told the BBC.

The prime minister's office was keen to stress that Turkey was not involved in the weapons shipment.

"According to the shipment documents and questioning of the crew, the vessel initially departed from Lattakia port in Syria and then proceeded to Mersin port in Turkey. Turkey has no connection to this incident regarding the weaponry uncovered on board," a statement said.

Relations between the two countries have been strained since Israeli commandos raided a Gaza-bound aid flotilla last May, killing nine Turkish activists on board.

The military gave no details on what types of arms were on-board, but said a detailed inspection of the cargo would be carried out at port. Kazinform cites BBC. See www.bbc.co.uk for full version