Arab League’s Afifi: India’s Position on Supporting Palestinian Cause ‘Has not Changed’

India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj smiles while addressing the India Africa business forum in New Delhi, India, October 28, 2015. REUTERS
India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj smiles while addressing the India Africa business forum in New Delhi, India, October 28, 2015. REUTERS
TT
20

Arab League’s Afifi: India’s Position on Supporting Palestinian Cause ‘Has not Changed’

India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj smiles while addressing the India Africa business forum in New Delhi, India, October 28, 2015. REUTERS
India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj smiles while addressing the India Africa business forum in New Delhi, India, October 28, 2015. REUTERS

Arab League Chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj agreed on the importance of strengthening cooperation between Arab states and India in political, economic and cultural fields.

In this context, AL Secretary-General Aboul Gheit stressed that the relationship between Arab countries and India two sides in the light of the great and distinguished balance of historical ties and their common interests and the priority accorded by the Arab side to this relationship.

The AL looked forward to the continuation of India's strong support for Arab issues, especially the Palestinian cause. This was the focus of the message Secretary-General Aboul Gheit recently relayed to India’s Swaraj following the visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Israel and his visit to occupied Palestinian territories.

AL spokesman Mahmud Afifi pointed out that Aboul Gheit explained to Swaraj that Arabs expect the current Indian government to affirm its clear and public support for a two-state solution and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost of which is their right to establish its independent state.

He stressed the need to urge Israel, which enjoys good relations with India, to return to negotiations with Palestinians, and not to overlook Israel’s negative behavior in failing to abide by internationally-recognized resolutions.

Afifi noted that the Indian minister referred her country’s full understanding of the Arab position and that her country's relations with Israel would not be at the expense of its important and multidimensional relations with Arab countries, pointing out that India's position on supporting the Palestinian cause “has not changed.”



Explosive Device Likely Damaged Greek Tanker off Libya Last Week, Operator Says

The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Vilamoura had left the Libyan port of Zuetina on June 27 to head to Gibraltar (File Photo)
The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Vilamoura had left the Libyan port of Zuetina on June 27 to head to Gibraltar (File Photo)
TT
20

Explosive Device Likely Damaged Greek Tanker off Libya Last Week, Operator Says

The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Vilamoura had left the Libyan port of Zuetina on June 27 to head to Gibraltar (File Photo)
The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Vilamoura had left the Libyan port of Zuetina on June 27 to head to Gibraltar (File Photo)

An external explosive device most likely caused the blast that damaged Greek oil tanker Vilamoura as it was sailing off the Libyan coast last week, the vessel's Greece-based operator TMS Tankers said on Sunday, citing an initial investigation.

The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Vilamoura had left the Libyan port of Zuetina on June 27 to head to Gibraltar with some 1 million barrels of oil when there was an explosion in the engine room, Reuters reported.

"Preliminary investigation findings clearly indicate that the explosion, the resulting fracture of the side shell plating, and the flooding of the engine room were caused by an external source —an unidentified explosive device," TMS Tankers said.

Maritime security sources told Reuters last week that a limpet mine may have caused the blast on Vilamoura, the fifth such incident to hit commercial shipping in the region in recent months.

Following the explosion and the flooding of its engine room the vessel lost manoeuvrability, although it was able to be towed towards Greece.

The vessel has now arrived safely at Laconikos Bay in Greece and its crew are in good health, the operator added in a statement.