Cyprus issues alert over ‘terrorist’ on boat

POLICE have stepped up air and sea patrols in an attempt to intercept a boat thought to be carrying a terrorist hiding among a group of 50 illegal immigrants headed for Crete.

Marine Police Commander Theodoros Stylianou said the information about the suspected terrorist came from reliable sources in Lebanon, which he said could not be disputed.

The reports said the 14-metre vessel had sailed from the Lebanese port of Tripoli on Saturday with 50 illegal immigrants of Arab origin on board. With them were the ‘terrorist’, carrying $4 million in cash, as well as a number of suspected accomplices.

Stylianou said the vessel was headed for Crete, but could end up in mainland Greece.

He said that police boats and aircraft had been patrolling the area between Larnaca and Ayia Napa but nothing suspicious had been spotted.

Police have checked a number of vessels within 50 nautical miles of Cyprus but have not found the particular one, Stylianou said.

Authorities in Greece and other countries have been notified to be on alert for the vessel, he said.

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