Cruise liner recieves 'security threat' in Egypt

Police in boats and on the quay guarded the Queen Elizabeth 2 as it docked in the north Egyptian port of Alexandria today after a security threat against the British-built cruise liner.

The ship’s owners, Cunard, and the British Department of Transport said in separate statements they had received “information concerning the security” of the Queen Elizabeth 2, but they declined to disclose the type of threat.

“We believe there is no cause for alarm,” said Julie Benson, the US-based director of public relations for Cunard.

“As a precaution, we have placed the ship on to a higher level of security as it passes through this area.”

Police boats followed the QE2 as it sailed north through the Suez Canal.

And police guarded the ship today on land and water when it berthed in Alexandria harbour for the day, Egyptian police officials said.