Israel apprehends weapons aboard containership

Israel apprehends weapons aboard containership    The Israeli navy this week intercepted a ship it says was ferrying smuggled weapons from Iran to Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, according to reports from international news outlets.
   The vessel, the Francop, operated by Mediterranean feeder carrier MCL, was detained in the Port of Ashdod, report said.
   Israeli security officials and politicians, including Prime Minister Simon Peres, denounced the shipment. The crew apparently had no knowledge of the weapons aboard the ship, which were sealed in cargo containers. The weapons, according to Israel, included anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles. The ship was intercepted near Cyprus.
   Iran has denied involvement, though Peres said, 'The world is witness today to the huge gap between what Iran and Syria say and their actions.'
   According to MCL's Web site, the Francop was due in port in Limassol, Cyprus, on Wednesday and was due to call at Beirut next, on Thursday.