Two US assault ships enter Suez Canal: Official

Two US amphibious assault ships, the USS Kearsarge and the USS Ponce, entered Egypt's Suez Canal on Wednesday, on their way to the Mediterranean, a canal official said.

Two US amphibious assault ships, the USS Kearsarge and the USS Ponce, entered Egypt's Suez Canal on Wednesday, on their way to the Mediterranean, a canal official said.

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The ships were at the southern mouth of the canal, the official said, adding that they were expected to pass through by 3:30 pm or 4:00 pm local time.

The United States had said on Monday it was moving ships and planes closer to Libya, where a revolt against Muammar Gaddafi's rule is under way. The Kearsarge can carry 2,000 Marines.