The Hellenic Navy (HN) (Greek: Πολεμικό Ναυτικό, Polemikó Naftikó, abbreviated ΠΝ) is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence. During the periods of monarchy (1833–1924 and 1936–1973) it was known as the Royal Navy (Βασιλικόν Ναυτικόν, Vasilikón Naftikón, abbreviated ΒΝ).The total displacement of all the navy's vessels is approximately 150,000 tons.The motto of the Hellenic Navy is "Μέγα το της Θαλάσσης Κράτος" from Thucydides' account of Pericles' oration on the eve of the Peloponnesian War. This has been roughly translated as "Great is the country that controls the sea". The Hellenic Navy's emblem consists of an anchor in front of a crossed Christian cross and trident, with the cross symbolizing Greek Orthodoxy, and the trident symbolizing Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. Pericles' words are written across the top of the emblem. "The navy, as it represents a necessary weapon for Greece, should only be created for war and aim to victory."...............The Hellenic Merchant Marine refers to the Merchant Marine of Greece, engaged in commerce and transportation of goods and services universally. It consists of the merchant vessels owned by Greek civilians, flying either the Greek flag or a flag of convenience. Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, as shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks and a key element of Greek economic activity since the ancient times. Nowadays, Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world, which is the second largest contributor to the national economy after tourism and forms the backbone of world shipping. The Greek fleet flies a variety of flags, however some Greek shipowners gradually return to Greece following the changes to the legislative framework governing their operations and the improvement of infrastructure.Blogger Tips and Tricks
This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς....This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς.........

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

French embassy in Libya devastated by car bomb.[ 3094 ]

French embassy in Tripoli hit by car bomb

A car bomb has hit the French Embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli, seriously injuring a security guard in the first major attack on a diplomatic mission in the city.


Richard Spencer.


The bomb exploded before work started on Tuesday morning and there were no diplomats in the building. The security guard, who is French, was “gravely injured", according to Libyan media, and the explosion caused major damage, with the outer wall of the embassy compound and part of the main building collapsed. 
Another French security guard was said to have been wounded, but to have less severe injuries.
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No-one claimed responsibility, but suspicion will fall on Al-Qaeda linked elements operating inside Libya. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the North African branch of the terrorist organisation, has threatened to attack French interests in protest at France’s intervention in nearby Mali. 
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“We support and call all the Muslims to target France and its interests and subjects inside and outside France until it withdraws the last soldier from the land of the Muslims,” Abu Abdulilah Ahmed, a spokesman for the group said, in an unusual Twitter question-and-answer session with journalists only last Friday. 
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“Repelling France’s aggressive assault is an obligation of every Muslim not just al-Qaeda.”

France’s heavy involvement in North Africa, including its joint leadership with Britain in the aerial bombardment which supported the rebel overthrow of Col Muammar Gaddafi in Libya in 2011, has made it the principal target of militant activity in the region. 
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Seven members of the same French family seized in Cameroon were released on Friday, but a further seven French nationals are in the hands of kidnappers linked to Al-Qaeda in North and West Africa.
Tuesday’s explosion damaged houses along the street occupied by the embassy in the upmarket Hay Andalus area of the city. The twisted wreckage of the car used in the attack was lying in the middle of the street.
The attack was condemned by the French president, Francois Hollande, and the foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, was expected fly to Tripoli later in the day. 
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“France expects the Libyan authorities to shed the fullest light on this unacceptable act, so that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice,” Mr Hollande said.
Libya’s foreign minister, Mohammed Abdul Aziz, visited the embassy, where a reception had been held on Monday night for two visiting French MPs. 
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“We strongly condemn this act, which we regard as a terrorist act against a brother nation that supported Libya during the revolution,” he said.
Investigators will focus on a number of militias and extremist Salafi groups operating in the country, including Ansar al-Sharia, which United States officials say has been in contact with AQIM. 
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Its members were identified as among those attacking the US consulate in Benghazi last September, when the American ambassador, Chris Stevens, was killed. There has been no progress in attempts to bring those reponsible to justice, something which has strengthened fears that violent groups in the country can operate with impunity. 
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That was only the worst attack on foreign interests. The car of the then British ambassador, Sir Dominic Asquith, was also attacked in Benghazi, while Christian sites, including Commonwealth war graves and Egyptian churches have also been targeted.

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