[16/07/2020 06:15]

NEW YORK - SABA
Egypt has warned of the greatest environmental disaster in the world if Safir Oil Tanker swimming on the Red Sea leaked or exploded over Houthi militia's rejection to allow to the UN technical team to examine and do maintenance work to the tanker.

The explosion of the tanker could result in the greatest oil leak across the world could cause catastrophic environmental and economic effects on Yemen and a number of countries located around near the Red Sea, said Egyptian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mohammad Idreas during the Security Council's session assigned for addressing Safir tanker's issue.
He pointed out to dangers of the potential leaking on marine lives and international navigation in Bab al-Mandab strait, which is considered the main gate to Suez Canal.

He called upon concerned parties to quickly tackle these potential dangers and do maintenance work to the tanker without delay or more conditions and this must coincide with political efforts for having solutions to Yemen's crisis.

He uttered Egypt's readiness to contribute in providing technical support needed for maintenance work to the tanker.

The tanker contains on board more than 1 million barrel of crude oil, four times of the quantity of the worst oil leak the world witnessed in the past.

The tanker's age is more than 44 years and regular maintenance work by the UN was hindered for the past six years.

---