MS Achille Lauro
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MS Achille Lauro was a cruise ship based in Naples, Italy. It was built between 1939 and 1947 as the ocean liner Willem Ruys for Royal Rotterdam Lloyd. In 1965 Achille Lauro bought the ship, had it converted into a cruise ship, and renamed it after himself. In 1985 it was hijacked by members of the Palestine Liberation Front.
Achille Lauro
The Achille Lauro on fire during her conversion work in 1965
Lifebouy from the Achille Lauro (at top right), now on display in the Rotterdam Maritime Museum
MS Willem Ruys
Crisis of Sigonella
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The Sigonella crisis was a diplomatic case between Italy and the United States that occurred in October 1985.
Achille Lauro
U.S. President Ronald Reagan
Sigonella military airport, with Mount Etna in the background
Italian Prime Minister Bettino Craxi