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This picture is © Panagiotis A. Pietris and may not be used or published without permission.

Registration: YK-AYE

Construction Number: 66187

Model Tupolev Tu-134B-3

Operator: Syrian Arab Airlines (RB / SYR)

Airport: Athens - Eleftherios Venizelos International (ATH / LGAV), Greece

Photographer: Panagiotis A. Pietris

Date Taken: 21/01/2014

Date Submitted: 01/11/2014

This rare bird appeared all of a sudden here in Athens for a refuel stop. The plane was carrying a Syrian delegation with the Deputy Prime Minister, and Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem bound to attend the scheduled meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Montreux, Switzerland on the eve of the beginning of Geneva 2 peace talks. The ground handling company refused to supply fuel due to EU sanctions / trade embargo against Syria. The Greek Foreign Ministry had to intervene to settle the conflict but this had resulted in 5 hours delay. Here it is seen while taxing late afternoon (17:20L) for take-off from 21L.

Picture ID:1471770

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