This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7311992.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
US vessel 'shoots at Suez boat' US examines Suez Canal shooting
(about 22 hours later)
A US container ship approaching the Suez Canal has opened fire on a small Egyptian motorboat, killing one man and wounding two others, reports say. An investigation has been launched after a US container ship opened fire on a small Egyptian boat as it approached the Suez Canal.
The Global Patriot, carrying used US military equipment, was in the Gulf of Suez when it was approached by a motorboat selling local merchandise. Egyptian sources including the country's official news agency say one man was killed and two injured when the Global Patriot opened fire.
Its crew apparently fired after the boat failed to heed warnings to stop when asked, the US navy said. But in a statement the US embassy in Cairo said initial reports indicated there were no casualties.
It added that it was in contact with Egypt through the US embassy in Cairo. The US says it simply fired warning shots at the boat.
As many as 100 other local vessels are said to have gathered at the scene, carrying hawkers demanding an inquiry. The US says an investigation into the incident has been launched and it is co-operating fully with the Egyptian authorities.
Some 7.5% of world sea trade passes through the Suez Canal, which is 190km long (118 miles) and 120m wide (395ft) at its narrowest point. The US says the Global Patriot - on short-term charter to the US military - was approached by several boats as it prepared to enter the Suez Canal after dark on Monday.
Military charter The US statement: "The boats were hailed and warned by a native Arabic speaker using a bullhorn [loudhailer] to warn them to turn away. A warning flare was then fired.
It was after sunset on Monday when a motorboat carrying three local Egyptian traders approached the Global Patriot in the Gulf of Suez as it prepared to sail towards the Mediterranean, according to Egyptian officials. "One small boat continued to approach the ship and received two sets of warning shots 20-30 yards [metres] in front of the bow."
The Global Patriot's crew are reported to have ordered the motorboat to stop and when it did not, they opened fire, killing Mohammed Fouad and wounding two others, the officials added. Prayers
A US naval spokeswoman, Cdr Lydia Robertson, said that the Global Patriot had warned the small boats to turn away "via bridge-to-bridge radio and a series of warning steps". The statement said that all shots "were accounted for as they entered the water", and initial reports from the ship indicated there had been no casualties.
"One small boat continued to approach the motor vessel, which then reportedly fired warning shots." I saw the body - the bullet entered his heart and went out the other side Abbas al-AmrikaniHead of the union of seamen, Suez
Confirming that the incident was under investigation, she added: But Egyptian officials and witnesses say a man aboard the boat, Mohammed Fouad, was killed as his boat approached the ship in order to offer goods for sale. Two other men were injured, they say.
"Fleet authorities are working cooperatively with Egyptian authorities through the US Embassy in Cairo." This is also the version of events reported by the official Egyptian news agency, citing preliminary reports.
Egyptian sources say Fouad's body was taken to a hospital morgue and then a mosque to await burial on Tuesday.
"We are praying over his body right now," Abbas al-Amrikani, the head of the union of seamen in Suez, told AP news agency, over audible sounds of prayer.
"I saw the body. The bullet entered his heart and went out the other side."
CigarettesCigarettes
A spokesman for Global Container Lines told the Associated Press that he had no information about the incident.
According to the US Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC), the Global Patriot is a US-flagged roll-on, roll-off container ship chartered from Global Container Lines.According to the US Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC), the Global Patriot is a US-flagged roll-on, roll-off container ship chartered from Global Container Lines.
In the past, it has been used by the MSC to transport a US military Patriot Missile defence battery, ammunition, and MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles around the world.In the past, it has been used by the MSC to transport a US military Patriot Missile defence battery, ammunition, and MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles around the world.
On this occasion, the Global Patriot is said to have been transporting used US military equipment from Dubai.On this occasion, the Global Patriot is said to have been transporting used US military equipment from Dubai.
The BBC's Heba Saleh in Cairo says fisherman and small boats carrying hawkers ply the waters of the canal trying to sell cigarettes and other local products to ship passing through.The BBC's Heba Saleh in Cairo says fisherman and small boats carrying hawkers ply the waters of the canal trying to sell cigarettes and other local products to ship passing through.
It is not clear why those on board the Global Patriot opened fire.
Al-Qaeda militants have in the past used small motorboats to attack US military and other foreign vessels in waters off the coast of Yemen, our correspondent adds.Al-Qaeda militants have in the past used small motorboats to attack US military and other foreign vessels in waters off the coast of Yemen, our correspondent adds.
Some 7.5% of world sea trade passes through the Suez Canal, which is 190km long (118 miles) and 120m wide (395ft) at its narrowest point.