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U.S. details incident with Egyptian boats in the Suez

Thursday, March 27, 2008 Free Headline Alerts

CAIRO — An American cargo ship contracted by the U.S. Navy fired on approaching Egyptian boats in the Suez Canal.

Egyptian officials said at least one person was killed and two others were injured. They said the Egyptian boats were trying to sell cigarettes and other commodities to passing vessels.

"The boats were hailed and warned by a native Arabic speaker using a bullhorn to warn them to turn away," the U.S. embassy in Cairo said on Tuesday. "A warning flare was then fired. One small boat continued to approach the ship and received two sets of warning shots 20-30 yards in front of the bow."

The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet said the shooting took place on late March 24 as the vessel, Motor Vehicle Global Patriot, entered the Suez Canal. The navy, which did not report casualties, said several Egyptian boats approached the American cargo ship despite warnings.

Officials said the U.S. Navy has insisted that the canal area be cleared before its ships enter. They said the navy has been alerted to the prospect of an Al Qaida-aligned attack in the canal, which accounts for 7.5 percent of global sea trade.

The Global Patriot, under short term charter to the navy's Military Sealift Command, entered the canal from the Red Sea. Officials said a U.S. Navy security team was aboard the cargo ship.

"All shots were accounted for as they entered the water," the U.S. embassy said. "Initial reports indicate that no casualties were sustained on either vessel."

Officials said the U.S. Navy revised its rules of engagement in wake of the Al Qaida suicide strike on the USS Cole off the coast of Yemen in 2000. Under the new rules, they said, naval ships were directed to sink small suspicious boats when they refuse orders to halt.

"The incident is under investigation," the navy said. "The U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet command is cooperating with Egyptian authorities, including the Suez Canal authorities, through the U.S. embassy in Cairo."

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