FOREIGN MINISTRY CLOSELY MONITORING SPIRIT OF RACHEL CORRIE - MINISTER

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- The Foreign Ministry is closely monitoring
the latest developments involving the humanitarian aid vessel, the Spirit of
Rachel Corrie.

Its minister Anifah Aman said the vessel was currently nearby the
Port of El-Arish in Egypt and was waiting for approval from the Egyptian
authorities to dock at the port and offload the humanitarian aid items to be
sent by land to Gaza through the Rafah border crossing.

"Officials from the Malaysian embassy in Cairo are currently at El-Arish
Port to facilitate the work and provide all the necessary assistance to the
passengers and crew members," he said in a statement, here, Wednesday.

He said that according to the Malaysian embassy in Cairo, all the 12
passengers and crew members were safe.

There are seven Malaysians, two Indians, two Irish and one Canadian onboard
the Spirit of Rachel Corrie.