Egypt agrees to let 2 Iranian vessels transit Suez Canal

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http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=208849

Egypt agrees to let 2 Iranian vessels transit Suez Canal

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

02/18/2011 19:17

State-run news agency says authorities approve request from Iranian diplomats

who offer assurances that ships won't have nuclear or chemical material.

The move had been widely expected and Iranian officials have insisted the

request is in line with international regulations. They said the two vessels are

headed to Syria for training.

On Thursday, the two Iranian naval vessels submitted a request to transit the

Suez Canal, Egypt's Foreign Ministry said.

Ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki said Egyptian authorities received the request to

grant the vessels passage, while a Suez Canal official said the Defense Ministry

would process the application.

Iran denied claims Thursday that it had canceled plans to send two warships

through the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean Sea, saying that despite various

media reports the vessels were on their way to Syria.

On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman Foreign Minister Avigdor

Lieberman first called attention to the Iranian intentions during a speech to

the Conference of President of Major American Jewish Organizations, terming the

move a " provocation " and calling on the world to " put the Iranians in their

place. "