In response to a Sunday report in the Washington Post, Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zied denied claims in the article that a North Korean ship with anti-tanks missiles was bound for Egypt. The Washington Post report noted that a North Korean ship with a Cambodian flag was confiscated and inspected by Egyptian authorities in 2016, following the US warning Egypt of its arrival to the Suez Canal. The report highlighted that anti-tanks missiles found on the ship were arranged for Egypt and bought indirectly through a number of Egyptian businessmen. Moreover, the Washington Post noted that Egypt bought the shipment of anti-tanks missiles for a reported cost of 23 million dollars, according to anonymous US sources and other western officials quoted in the article. “The Egyptian authorities banned the North Korean ship from continuing on its route after it arrived to the Suez Canal as it was carrying anti-tanks missiles.

Source: Egypt Independent October 03, 2017 11:15 UTC