Lebanese Army: The Francop crew denies "Israeli" inspection took place within their sight

Local Editor, 09-11-2009

The National Lebanese Army issued a statement after the completion of investigations with the crew of the Francop ship, which the "Israeli" enemy claims was carrying weapons and rockets from Iran to Hizbullah through Syria. The investigations disclosed the enemy lies after investigations established that the cargo the vessel was carrying were ordinary goods.

The following is part of what came in that statement: "The vessel that was fully loaded in Damietta port of Egypt, clearly confirms - according to Lebanese officials - the non-validity of the ‘Israeli' account, unless of course the weapons were loaded on board the vessel from Egypt, which is unlikely."

Lebanese official sources clarified, that "During investigations the crew stated that the vessel was on its route Damietta - Egypt, Limassol - Cyprus, Beirut - Lebanon and Latakia - Syria when ‘Israeli' occupation forces hijacked it in international waters between Damietta and Cyprus, then forced the ship to the port of Ashdod-‘Israel', where a number of containers were unloaded in the absence of witnesses, after which the ship and its crew were released."

"The vessel then continued on to Beirut according to its pre-planned itinerary to unload the Lebanese cargo, before continuing on to Latakia port to unload the Syrian goods."

"Statements made by the crew say that the inspection process of the containers contents took place in Ashdod port out of crew members' sight, noting that the seized 36 containers still locked up in Ashdod, were to be unloaded in the port of Latakia."