US war convoy enters Suez Canal

Five cargo ships carrying military supplies for United States troops in the Gulf entered the Suez Canal today on their way to join the American build-up for a possible war on Iraq, marine officials said.

The vessels were laden with US army heavy machinery including tanks, artillery and armoured vehicles, the officials said at Port Said.

They said two French destroyers and two Italian warships also entered the Canal on their way to the Red Sea.

It was not clear if the four vessels are part of the continuing Western military buildup in the Gulf.

Some 60,000 US troops are already in the Gulf region and US Defence Secretary Donald H Rumsfeld has signed orders for an additional 67,000 to go over the next few weeks.