Nicosia - Cypriot authorities began on Saturday an investigation into an Iranian vessel suspected of carrying illicit weapons supplies, Cypriot media have reported.

The vessel was escorted into Limassol harbour by an American warship at the beginning of the week, after being intercepted in the eastern Mediterranean.

Authorities suspect that the vessel was carrying munitions destined for Syria, under a Cypriot flag, from where they were to be delivered to militant organizations in Lebanon or the Palestinian territories.

Athens, Nicosia - The United Nations' senior envoy for Cyprus expressed cautious optimism on Friday that a settlement for the divided Mediterranean island can be reached, but cautioned that it still remained a difficult task.

"It is an incredibly difficult talk, nobody should underestimate how hard it is after so many years and such deep conflict," said Alexander Downer, special advisor to the UN Secretary-General. "But days like today just help to confirm the view that I am cautiously optimistic."

Lacarna, Cyprus  - Peace activists abandoned an attempt reach Gaza with a ship loaded with aid for Gaza's Palestinians on early Tuesday and returned to Cyprus, a spokesman of Free Gaza, a US NGO, told Greek radio.

Their ship, Arion, was urged by Israeli war ships about 80 nautical miles off Gaza via loudspeaker and radio several times to leave the region, as the sea's off gaza were off limits, the activists said.

Athens/Nicosia  - A boat carrying international peace activists and medical supplies for the embattled Gaza Strip left the Cypriot port of Larnaca on Monday after a similar effort to deliver aid was thwarted by Israel last month.

A representative for the Greek-flagged Arion vessel, with 30 peace activists from the US "Free Gaza" group, 15 doctors and European parliamentarians, said it would attempt to break through the Israeli blockade and enter Gaza carrying relief supplies.

"We know it is difficult to break through the blockade. We must try however, because of the dramatic situation to reach Gaza. We hope to reach there on Tuesday by noon," Greek Cypriot parliamentarian Sofia Sakorafa said in a radio interview.

Nicosia, Dec 30 : Dana Gas country Director for Egypt Hany Elsharkawi has announced a new important gas and condensate discovery at the El Basant-2 well, in the West El Manzala Concession in the Nile Delta.

Dana Gas is the sixth biggest natural gas producer in Egypt and the first regional private sector natural gas company in the Middle East.

Elsharkawi said Dana Gas was by quite satisfied with the new discovery, which combined with other recent discoveries, showed that the company''s plans were well conceived.

Athens, Nicosia - Cyprus' justice minister resigned on Wednesday after a convicted murderer serving two life terms escaped custody, reports said.

Justice Minister Kypros Chrysostomides submitted his resignation on Wednesday to Cypriot President Dimitris Christofiaswho accepted it.

The prisoner, a Greek Cypriot, was jailed for life for the rape and murders of a Swedish housewife and Ukrainian dancer in 1994. He escaped on December 12 from a private hospital where he was being treated ahead of surgery.

Reports said the prisoner would regularly leave his hospital room through an unguarded window.