September 2 - According to a statement issued by GAC, Egypt's armed forces are strengthening security measures in the Suez Canal, following an unsuccessful terrorist attack on a container ship transiting the waterway on August 31.
The statement reports the head of the Suez Canal Authority, Admiral Mohab Memish, saying that the attack apparently aimed to disrupt the flow of ships through the Canal, which - as one of the world's key shipping routes - is secured by the country's armed forces.
According to the report, a 'terrorist element' targeted a Panama-flagged vessel passing through the waterway. The attempted attack failed completely and there was no damage to the ship or the containers it carried. Admiral Mohab Memish added that the situation was dealt with strictly and vessel traffic is moving normally.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian Authorities have amended and reduced the hours of the curfew in force with effect from August 31. The curfew is now in force from 2300 to 0600 hours daily, instead of the previous 1900 to 0600 hours.
Traffic through the Suez Canal is unaffected by the curfew as the Canal Zone is secured by the military, including land, sea and air patrols.
