North Korean Ship With 'Military Cargo' Held by Panama

  More than 15,000 vessels sail through the Panama Canal each year

Panama's president says his country has seized a North Korean-flagged ship carrying "undeclared military cargo". President Ricardo Martinelli told local media that the ship, which was sailing from Cuba, contained suspected "sophisticated missile equipment".

He posted a photo of what looked like a large green object inside a cargo container on his Twitter account.

He said the ship, which was searched as it passed through the Panama Canal, was being held for further investigation.

Under UN sanctions, North Korea is banned from weapons exports and the import of all but small arms.  Sanctions were strengthened after its third nuclear test on 12 February, including measures increasing states' authority to inspect suspicious cargo.