Military

DATE=5/22/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= ISRAEL-LEBANON-BOAT (S-O)

NUMBER=2-303535

BYLINE= ROSS DUNN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Israeli military officials say naval commandos have intercepted a boat from Lebanon loaded with weapons bound for Palestinian Authority areas. Ross Dunn reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: The Israeli Navy seized the Egyptian-owned fishing boat about 150-kilometers off Israel's northern Mediterranean coastline.

Nine people on board have been arrested, including two members of the militant Lebanese Islamic group, Hezbollah.

A Palestinian Authority official is also said to have been among the passengers.

The boat was reportedly carrying weapons and explosives.

The vessel was intercepted early Wednesday, but news of its capture was censored by Israeli military authorities.

The boat originally set out from Egypt on May 16th and landed in Lebanon. Israeli military officials say in Lebanon the vessel was loaded with weapons and headed for the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli Foreign Minister, Silvan Shalom says the boat is more evidence of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's involvement in terrorism. He says those involved in the alleged weapons smuggling operation are known to be close to the Palestinian leader. (SIGNED)

NEB/RD/AWP/FC/RAE