European lawmakers join Gaza protest

Gaza City: A boat carrying a group of European lawmakers has arrived in Gaza port as part of a protest against the blockade of the territory by Israel and Egypt.

It is the third such boat trip from Cyprus to Gaza since August. The boat carries a ton of medicine and some medical equipment.

Organisers say they hope such trips will generate momentum to end the blockade.

Gaza has been virtually sealed off from the world since the Islamic militant Hamas seized the territory by force in June 2007.

Among those arriving in Gaza on Saturday were former British Cabinet member Clare Short and a Muslim member of Britain's House of Lords, Nazir Ahmad.