20,000 AK-47s found aboard Ukrainian ship, destination uncertain

Greek coast guard officials say they seized about 20,000 Kalashnikov rifles found on a Ukrainian cargo ship apparently bound for Turkey. The Sierra Leone-flagged vessel, the Nour M, is believed to be carrying a large amount of explosives as well, the Greek Reporter said Friday. The ship was taken under escort to the port of Symi. Officials said the vessel would be taken to port of Rhodes for a thorough check. The Nour M's captain said the ship was headed for Iskenderun, a Turkish port near the border with Syria, RIA Novosti reported, but marine traffic registries listed differing destinations for the vessel. Amna.gr said the ship was headed for Tripoli, Libya, and Tartus, Syria. Only Tripoli was listed as a destination by the Maritime Bulletin, which said the vessel departed Oct. 25 from the Ukrainian port of Nikolayev.