Gaza aid team trapped on Greek boat
gimmesometruth27
St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 23,303
i wonder why this is happening now...
Gaza aid team trapped on Greek boat
British volunteers and Mavi Marmara survivors among those on vessel surrounded by Libyan warships after captain fled port
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/no ... greek-boat
Seven British members of an aid convoy to Gaza are reportedly trapped aboard a Greek merchant vessel in the Mediterranean surrounded by Libyan warships.
The volunteers from the Road to Hope group, a humanitarian organisation attempting to deliver supplies to Palestinians, are understood to have become caught up in a dispute over money.
British Foreign Office diplomats are liaising with the Libyan and Greek authorities, and have called for a "safe" end to the situation.
The origins of the row are not clear but the Greek ship was reported to have left the port of Derna, in eastern Libya, abruptly this morning. Ellie Merton, the London liaison for the convoy, said: "As far as I know the boat owner became really aggressive over a payment for something, tried to shut the back end of the boat and moved away from the pier really fast.
"The [vessel] was still attached to the quayside and as he drove he yanked the ropes off, there were bits of concrete flying everywhere. We have lost telephone contact with those who are still on the ship against their will – without any paperwork, passports or authority to leave Libya, possessions or, when we last heard, food or water.
"We're extremely concerned – the boat's not seaworthy and the captain has shown he is willing to risk life and limb of himself, his crew and the aid workers."
The Road to Hope group said the ship had headed into international waters before being surrounded by Libyan navy ships and reportedly flown over by fighter jets.
As well as the seven British volunteers, two Irish, one Algerian and three Libyan officials are on the ship. Among them are Ken O'Keefe, a former US marine, and Laura Stuart, a mother of three from Barnet, north London, both survivors of the Isaeli attack on the Mavi Marmara off Gaza in May this year.
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We are aware of the incident at Derna port in Libya and have been in close contact with the convoy organisers.
"Our embassy in Tripoli has been urging the Libyan authorities to resolve the situation rapidly and ensure that those caught on the ship are returned to safety. We are in close contact with the Greek authorities. Our priority remains that there should be a safe resolution of this incident."
Israeli commandos intercept the Mavi Marmara in May. Two of those on board are also on the boat surrounded by Libyan warships. Photograph: Kate Geraghty/Getty Images
Gaza aid team trapped on Greek boat
British volunteers and Mavi Marmara survivors among those on vessel surrounded by Libyan warships after captain fled port
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/no ... greek-boat
Seven British members of an aid convoy to Gaza are reportedly trapped aboard a Greek merchant vessel in the Mediterranean surrounded by Libyan warships.
The volunteers from the Road to Hope group, a humanitarian organisation attempting to deliver supplies to Palestinians, are understood to have become caught up in a dispute over money.
British Foreign Office diplomats are liaising with the Libyan and Greek authorities, and have called for a "safe" end to the situation.
The origins of the row are not clear but the Greek ship was reported to have left the port of Derna, in eastern Libya, abruptly this morning. Ellie Merton, the London liaison for the convoy, said: "As far as I know the boat owner became really aggressive over a payment for something, tried to shut the back end of the boat and moved away from the pier really fast.
"The [vessel] was still attached to the quayside and as he drove he yanked the ropes off, there were bits of concrete flying everywhere. We have lost telephone contact with those who are still on the ship against their will – without any paperwork, passports or authority to leave Libya, possessions or, when we last heard, food or water.
"We're extremely concerned – the boat's not seaworthy and the captain has shown he is willing to risk life and limb of himself, his crew and the aid workers."
The Road to Hope group said the ship had headed into international waters before being surrounded by Libyan navy ships and reportedly flown over by fighter jets.
As well as the seven British volunteers, two Irish, one Algerian and three Libyan officials are on the ship. Among them are Ken O'Keefe, a former US marine, and Laura Stuart, a mother of three from Barnet, north London, both survivors of the Isaeli attack on the Mavi Marmara off Gaza in May this year.
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We are aware of the incident at Derna port in Libya and have been in close contact with the convoy organisers.
"Our embassy in Tripoli has been urging the Libyan authorities to resolve the situation rapidly and ensure that those caught on the ship are returned to safety. We are in close contact with the Greek authorities. Our priority remains that there should be a safe resolution of this incident."
Israeli commandos intercept the Mavi Marmara in May. Two of those on board are also on the boat surrounded by Libyan warships. Photograph: Kate Geraghty/Getty Images
"You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry." - Lincoln
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
Post edited by Unknown User on
0
Comments