Source: Cyprus detains Iran arms ship en route to Syria
Barak Ravid, Haaretz, Jan 29 2009
Cypriot authorities detained an Iranian arms ship on Thursday en route to Syria, a European diplomatic source said. This move is apparently the result of requests by Israel and the US that Cyprus stop the ship. It is carrying a large amount of weaponry, including artillery rounds and rockets that Israel believes are destined for either Hezbollah or Hamas. The vessel left the Persian Gulf a few weeks ago, and reached about 60 miles from Cyprus’ port city of Limassol on Wednesday. The Cypriot authorities were the only ones authorized to confiscate the ship’s cargo, since it was flying the Cypriot flag. According to the diplomat, Cypriot customs officials contacted the Iranian boat and demanded that it sail to Limassol for a check. The US Navy had earlier detained the ship in the Red Sea, but was forced to release it on Tuesday, when it became apparent that there was no legal basis for holding it. At a press conference in Washington, Admiral Mike Mullen, who heads the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that, although US Navy personnel had boarded the ship and found the weapons, they had no legal authority to impound the arms. Mullen suggested that more stringent resolutions by the UN Security Council would be required in order to do so, stating clearly that Iran is violating standards against arms smuggling. He also said he believes the ship is heading for Syria.