Tripoli, 20 May:
Egyptian security forces are reported to have made their largest seizure so far of arms said to have been . . .[restrict]smuggled in from Libya. The haul includes 120 surface-to-air missiles, 30 ground-to-ground missiles, 15 Grad rockets, 25 anti-tank grenade launchers, TNT and navigation systems. They were found in the Egyptian port port of Damietta hidden in two vehicles.
Egypt’s Interior Ministry said today three people had been arrested in a counter-smuggling operation that covered four Mediterranean coast provinces. It has been quoted as saying that the three claimed the weapons were from Libya and were destined for Gaza.
A week ago, Egyptian security forces seized 50 missiles, a mortar, seven machine guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition, said to have been smuggled in from Libya. Discovered in three trucks near Mersa Matruh the arms were also thought to be destined for Gaza. [/restrict]