A seaborne delivery of aid to southern Iraq through the port of Umm Qasr has been delayed by 24 hours until Friday.
A US Navy spokesman told journalists today that, despite extensive mine clearing over the past few days, a mine had been found near Umm Qasr overnight and so further checks would have to be made before it was safe to dock.
The British naval supply vessel Sir Galahadis waiting offshore with 231 tonnes of food, medicine, blankets and water.