Syrian FM: Ship was not carrying arms

Wednesday, 04 November 2009 18:28 News from Jerusalem

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem on Wednesday afternoon denied that a cargo ship seized by Israel the previous night was carrying weapons from Iran, and implicitly called the Israeli naval forces "pirates."

"Unfortunately there are official pirates disrupting the movement of goods between Iran and Syria," he told reporters on a visit to Teheran. "I stress, the ship was not carrying Iranian arms bound for Syria, nor was it carrying material for manufacturing weapons in Syria. It was carrying [commercial] goods from Syria to Iran."

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu praised the action of the Navy and said the weapons on the ship were meant to be used against Israeli cities.

President Shimon Peres said that the capture of the Iranian weapons ship was an important achievement for the IDF and the State of Israel.

"The ship, probably hailing from Iran, was destined to reach Syria and Hizbullah. All sides involved deny [any connection] but the world is aware of the gap between what Syria and Iran say and how they actually act," Peres added.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak commended IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi and Navy Commander Vice-Admiral Eliezer Marom for the operation.

"This is another success in the incessant battle against the smuggling of arms and the military buildup by terrorist organizations who threaten Israel's security," he said.

Barak said there would be other such smuggling attempts in the future, and that Israel would have to "make every effort to thwart them."

The defense minister was speaking during a Yitzhak Rabin memorial service held by the 'Mahane' organization at Jerusalem's Mount Herzl cemetery.

Opposition leader Tzipi Livni also hailed the Navy's seizure.

"We all today praise the Navy and IDF over the seizure of the ship - it's not a controversial matter. There are issues over which there are no coalition and opposition," she said at a convention in the Knesset regarding the water tax. "We are all partners in the people of Israel's war on terror - whether it's Hamas, Hizbullah or other supporters [of terror]. Well done."

jpost

Set as favorite

Email This

Trackback(0)

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (1)

Show/Hide comments

Awsome job Israel

Wow what another jaw dropper, does syria actually think anyone believes them when they even speek ? Why would we, they all lie, say one thing and do another, sorry baby we're on to you just like we're to Iran and all the rest of the terror supporting countries, we all know who they are don't we ? Funny they are all muslim countries too !

Jerry , November 04, 2009

Write comment

Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. (Jeremiah 31:10)

News from Jerusalem