A ship carrying grain (see video) was detained in Lebanon on Saturday at the request of the Ukrainian embassy. The prosecutor has ordered the police to investigate the cargo of the Laodicea that arrived in the port of Tripoli, a bailiff said. He “ordered the seizure of the ship pending the investigation.” According to the Ukrainian ambassador, the grain comes from Russian-occupied areas of his country.
Diplomat Igor Ostasch contacted Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Thursday about the “illegal” cargo on the Syrian-flagged ship. According to the bailiff, the Lebanese police have been ordered to cooperate with the Ukrainian embassy in their investigation.
Grain was destined for Syria
According to initial information, the Laodicean shipping company is owned by a Turkish national and the grain is owned by a Syrian trader, the official said. Part of the cargo therefore had to be unloaded in Lebanon, the rest was destined for Syria. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it concerns “barley and flour”.
A customs official told AFP that the ship’s papers were “in order and there is no evidence that the goods were stolen”. The Turkish authorities had already seized the ship “if it were subject to sanctions”. In Lebanon, which has been badly hit economically, there is currently a dire shortage of bread.
Serious accusations from Ukraine
Ukraine regularly accuses Russia of “stealing” agricultural products, and grain in particular, from occupied territories. At the same time, Ukraine is currently preparing to resume its grain exports as part of a UN-supervised deal with Moscow.
Millions of tons of Ukrainian grain currently cannot be exported due to a Russian naval blockade and Ukrainian naval mines.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
