More on Ship Carrying Air Defence Radars to Syria

Voice of America News

Authorities in Cyprus say they found what appears to be military radar equipment on a Syria-bound cargo ship detained on suspicion of arms smuggling.

Police in Cyprus say the Gregorio 1 was carrying 18 trucks fitted with mobile radar they believe are part of an air defense system. The equipment was loaded in North Korea and was on its way to the Syrian port of Latakia.

Cypriot police say they received a tip from the international police agency Interpol of possible arms smuggling. The ship's manifest said the cargo was weather-tracking equipment.

The justice minister of Cyprus, Sophocles Sophocleous, says the matter has been turned over to the foreign ministry.

Syria has asked for the cargo to be released.

Western nations believe Syria has funneled weapons to the Shi'ite militia Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The August ceasefire resolution that ended the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah bans the supply of arms to Lebanon except those authorized by the Lebanese government.