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Oil tanker bound for Syria detained in Gibraltar Oil tanker bound for Syria detained in Gibraltar
(32 minutes later)
Royal Marines have boarded an oil tanker on its way to Syria thought to be breaching EU sanctions, the government of Gibraltar has said.Royal Marines have boarded an oil tanker on its way to Syria thought to be breaching EU sanctions, the government of Gibraltar has said.
Authorities said there was reason to believe the ship, called the Grace 1, was carrying crude oil to the Banias Refinery in Syria. Authorities said there was reason to believe the ship, called the Grace 1, was carrying crude oil to the Baniyas Refinery in Syria.
The refinery is subject to European Union sanctions against Syria, the chief minister of the government said.The refinery is subject to European Union sanctions against Syria, the chief minister of the government said.
Fabian Picardo commended the bravery of the marines who detained the ship.Fabian Picardo commended the bravery of the marines who detained the ship.
"Be assured that Gibraltar remains safe, secure and committed to the international, rules-based, legal order," he said, thanking the police, customs and port authorities for their involvement in detaining the ship."Be assured that Gibraltar remains safe, secure and committed to the international, rules-based, legal order," he said, thanking the police, customs and port authorities for their involvement in detaining the ship.
'Firm action' praised'Firm action' praised
Gibraltar port and law enforcement agencies detained the super tanker and its cargo on Wednesday morning with the help of the marines. Gibraltar port and law enforcement agencies detained the super tanker and its cargo on Thursday morning with the help of the marines.
The BBC has been told a team of about 20 marines, from 42 Commando, were flown from the UK to Gibraltar to help seize the tanker, at the request of the Gibraltar government.
A defence source described it as a "relatively benign operation" without major incident.
Mr Picardo said he had written to the presidents of the European Commission and European Council to give details of the sanctions that have been enforced.Mr Picardo said he had written to the presidents of the European Commission and European Council to give details of the sanctions that have been enforced.
The EU Syrian Sanctions Regime, established in May 2011, comprises financial, trade and transport sanctions. The Baniyas refinery, in the Syrian Mediterranean port town of Tartous, is a subsidiary of the General Corporation for Refining and Distribution of Petroleum Products, a section of the Syrian ministry of petroleum.
The sanctions restrict the Syrian economy in response to violent repression of civilians. The EU says the facility therefore provides financial support the Syrian government, which is subject to sanctions because of its repression of civilians since the start of the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad in 2011.
The refinery has been subject to EU sanctions since 2014.
The Ministry of Defence said it welcomed the "firm action" by the Gibraltarian authorities.The Ministry of Defence said it welcomed the "firm action" by the Gibraltarian authorities.