Syria-bound cargo ship turns back to Russia

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British Foreign Secretary William Hague said a ship that was believed to be carrying military helicopters to Syria appears to have turned back after its insurer removed its coverage.

Mr. Hague told British lawmakers on Tuesday that the MV Alaed has “turned back now apparently toward Russia.”

U.K.-based insurer Standard Club said in a statement that it had been made aware that the ship—then off the Scottish coast—was carrying munitions destined for Syria, in clear breach of its rules.

“We consequently informed the ship owner that their insurance cover ceased automatically in view of the nature of the voyage,” it said in a statement.

The Foreign Office confirmed it was aware that a ship carrying a consignment of refurbished Russian-made attack helicopters was heading to Syria.

It said Mr. Hague had told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that all defense shipments to Syria must stop.

“We are working closely with international partners to ensure that we are doing all we can to stop the Syrian regime’s ability to slaughter civilians being reinforced through assistance from other countries,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

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