DHAKA: Would-be jihadists have been travelling on cruise ships to reach conflict areas in the Middle East, Interpol has said.

The international police body said some of those trying to join militant groups in Iraq and Syria had used cruise lines to get to countries including Turkey.

It said checks to passenger lists should be extended from airlines to cruise operators before the issue became more of a problem, reports the BBC.

No figures were put on how many militants had travelled in this way.

Speaking in Monaco, Interpol’s outgoing chief, Ronald Noble, said countries should conduct checks on all passengers using airports ‘and, more and more, cruise lines’.

BDST: 11830 HRS, NOV 07, 2014