By KUNA,
PARIS : France said on Wednesday that it did not intend to replace a frigate that it withdrew from the maritime zone off Gaza after a two-week, “surveillance and information mission” with the Israeli navy.
The French vessel “Germinal” was officially withdrawn on February 6 after a decision by President Nicolas Sarkozy, but the frigate had already made for Cyprus for “technical reasons” several days before that decision.
It was thus not in the area of Gaza when Israel violently intercepted a humanitarian craft, “The Brotherhood,” which was bringing supplies and personnel to Gaza after having been inspected in Cyprus.
Israel, which claimed it was searching for weapons, fired shots and beat and kicked those on “The Brotherhood,” and destroyed communications equipment and confiscated mobile phones, goods and other cargo, as well as the vessel.
France regretted the incident and no weapons were found by the Israelis on board the confiscated boat. (end) jk.tg KUNA 111613 Feb 09NNNN