Israel to join NATO Mediterranean patrol

JERUSALEM, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- The Israeli navy will join the NATO patrol in the Mediterranean Sea to monitor suspicious vessels in the fight against global terror, Israeli officials said.

The decision was two years in the making, Maariv said Tuesday, and marks the first time the Israeli military and NATO will join forces at an operational level, the newspaper said.

NATO's Operation Action Endeavour is a naval operation in the Mediterranean formed after the terrorist bombings in the United States Sept. 11, 2001, the newspaper said.

The aim of the maritime patrol is to monitor and prevent the movement of terrorists and weapons and enhance security of shipping in the area, the paper said.

Two years ago Israel submitted a request to join the patrol, the paper said.

Adm. Eliezer Marom, the Israeli naval commander, was informed of the decision while visiting the United States last week, the paper said.

In the framework of the deal, an Israeli naval officer will be appointed liaison officer at NATO's naval headquarters in Naples, Italy. In the coming weeks, Israel will dispatch one of its most advanced missile boats to join the maritime force, the paper said.