UN official: Civilian ships cannot become military targets

ANKARA, Oct 31 (PRIME) -- Civilian ships cannot participate in military actions, U.N. Coordinator for the Grain Deal Amir Abdulla said in a Twitter post on Monday.

"Civilian cargo ships can never be a military target or held hostage. The food must flow," the official said.

Turkey and the U.N. resumed examination of ships in accordance with the deal, Reuters said citing a U.N. representative. The U.N. earlier agreed on passage of 16 ships and planned to inspect 40 ships anchored near Istanbul on Monday.

Moscow suspended its participation in the grain deal indefinitely on October 29 after the Ukrainian forces damaged the Russian fleet near Sevastopol during grain exports.

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