The ship was stopped and boarded about 600 miles east of the Horn of Africa, the officials said.

US intelligence had been tracking the vessel closely, said US officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The ship contained about a dozen short- to medium-range missiles, similar to the Scud missiles used by Iraq in the Persian Gulf War, the officials said. It also contained missile parts.

The ship allegedly carrying the missiles was stopped by two ships from the Spanish Navy participating in Operation Enduring Freedom, the US-led global anti-terrorism coalition, said Alberto Martinez Arias, a spokesman for Spain's Defense Ministry.

Crews from the Spanish ships, the Navarra and Patino, stopped the unflagged ship "Sosan" east of the island of Socotora and called US authorities for assistance, Martinez said. The Spanish Navy stopped and boarded the ship after its crew refused to identify themselves.

The DPRK captain of the Sosan initially told Spanish officials the ship was carrying cement. The Scuds were discovered shortly thereafter, Martinez said.

The ship was being held in the area while the search continued and as US experts made sure that any explosive materials were neutralized, US officials said.

Officials said the shipment did not appear to be headed for Iraq.

The boarding of the ship occurred as Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was traveling in the area.

It was unclear precisely what missiles were aboard the seized vessel.

(Xinhua News Agency December 11, 2002)