Ukraine urges Lebanon to reconsider its decision to clear a grain shipment for transit

Ukraine urged Lebanon on Thursday to overturn a Tripoli court decision to allow the evacuation of a seized Syrian ship carrying what Kyiv claims is stolen Ukrainian grain, Reuters reported.

The Ukrainian foreign ministry said in a statement that it was disappointed by the court's decision to allow the Syrian-flagged Laodicea to go and that Kyiv's viewpoint had not been taken into consideration.

The Syrian-flagged Laodicea has been moored at Tripoli since Thursday, carrying 100,00 tonnes of wheat flour and barley. Ukraine says Russia stole the food 400,00 tonnes, which Moscow denies.

On Wednesday, a judge ruled that the Laodicea can sail, a day after Lebanon's prosecutor general ruled that the ship could depart after an inquiry revealed that it was not carrying stolen Ukrainian grain.

Picture Credits: Reuters 

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