NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Tuesday urged Israel to release individuals and vessels captured during Monday's interception of a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid convoy.
"I add my voice to the calls made by the United Nations and the European Union for a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation into the incident," Rasmussen said in a written statement. "I also request the immediate release of the detained civilians and ships held by Israel."
The North Atlantic Council (NAC) met for an extraordinary meeting on Turkey's request to discuss the recent Israeli seizure of aid ships in neutral waters. The six-ship Freedom Flotilla, carrying some 10,000 tons of aid and 700 human rights activists, was captured en-route to Gaza by Israeli commandos.
Nine activists are confirmed dead but Arab media reports put the toll at close to 20. Dozens are reported injured. The international community has widely condemned Israel, with Turkey recalling its ambassador.
BRUSSELS, June 1 (RIA Novosti)
