Cyprus Releases Syria-Bound Ammunition Ship

Cypriot authorities released on Wednesday a cargo ship carrying tons of munitions after receiving confirmation the vessel would not proceed to Syria as originally scheduled.

The ship called into Limassol port for refueling on Tuesday following bad weather, said government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou.

When officials checked the ship they found tons of munitions and explosives on board and it was put under guard, local media reported.

Reportedly, the ship was carrying between 35 and 60 tons of munitions and explosive material sailing to Latakia, Syria from Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Politis daily said the recipient of the shipment "appears to be the defense ministry of Syria." It named the vessel as the Saint Vincent-flagged Chariot.

Stefanou told state radio it was decided the vessel would be released after the ship agreed to change its destination and "not go to Syria" and after following "all international regulations."

He did not elaborate, but said an official statement would be issued.

The incident comes exactly six months after seized Iranian munitions exploded at a naval base on July 11, killing six firemen and seven military personnel.

The containers had been at the base since their seizure in 2009 when Cyprus intercepted, under pressure from the United States and other Western nations, a Cypriot-flagged freighter bound from Iran for Syria.

The explosion of the containers, which had been stored in the open air, also knocked out the island's main power plant.

Criminal charges against those deemed responsible are expected to be filed next week.

The Mari blast triggered a government reshuffle and weeks of demonstrations calling for the resignation of President Demetris Christofias.