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Diplomats working to resolve reported hostage-taking on ship

11 November 2010 21:28 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. Diplomats are working Thursday to resolve a reported hostage-taking on a ship with a Gaza-bound convoy, APA reports quoting CNN.
The ship is the Greek-owned Strofades IV -- part of a convoy sponsored by the Road to Hope, an independent group of activists working to break Israel’s siege of Gaza.
Ten convoy members -- six Britons, two Irish citizens, an Algerian, and a Moroccan -- were taken hostage, the group said. Also taken hostage were the manager of Libya’s Derna port and two port authority police officers, it said.
The British Foreign Office said Thursday the vessel departed Libya and is headed toward Greece.
"We are aware of the incident at Derna Port in Libya, and have been in close contact with the convoy organizers," the British Foreign Office said.
"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 understand that the ship now is heading towards Greek territorial waters. Our embassy in Athens has spoken to the shipping company and is also in close contact with the Greek authorities. Our priority remains that there be a safe resolution to this incident."
The Road to Hope said the incident took place after the ship owner engaged in an argument with an Egyptian broker.
"The matter is a serious breach of every maritime law possible. We have asked all relevant embassies to supply urgent, immediate, consular assistance. We are extremely concerned for the safety of all the nationals on board," the group said in a statement.