Ship Seized Carrying Arms for Syria

Syria thanks Lebanon for seizing ship smuggling weapons to rebels

Syria's ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdel-Karim Ali expressed his government's gratitude to the Lebanese Army and security apparatuses for seizing the ship suspected of smuggling weapons for the Syrian rebels, the National News Agency (NNA) informed the official Chinese News Agency.

Lutfallah II, a Sierra Leonean-flagged vessel was intercepted by the Lebanese Navy on April 27. Weapons were found aboard its three containers. As a result, 21 people were charged and 14 are in custody.

The ambassador said in a letter to Lebanese foreign minister that Syria was keen to know the results of the investigation of the incident, adding that they "expect serious and sustained follow-up of the case to prevent such violations, which represent a risk for both Lebanon and Syria."

Ali also denied that his country accused Qatar and Saudi Arabia of being behind the incident, saying "We did not say this and did not accuse in this fashion."

"However, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, in the words of their own foreign ministers, announced backing the (Syrian) fighters and the opposition," he added.