(ANSA) - ATHENS, MAR 5 - The Panhellenic Federation of Maritime Workers (PNO) has called for a 24-hour nationwide strike to demand the safety and repatriation of Greek sailors who are currently stranded in the Middle East. As a result, ships are still docked in ports throughout Greece. The strike affects all types of ships in the country, according to the Ana-mpa news agency. The Federation described the situation caused by the Middle East war as "particularly serious and dangerous," emphasising that hundreds of Greek and foreign sailors are still stranded in the region. According to Greek Navy Minister Vasilis Kikilias, ten Greek-flagged ships are in the Persian Gulf, while approximately 325 vessels with Greek interests but registered under foreign flags are in the Middle East. In an interview with private broadcaster Skai last Sunday, the minister stated that 85 Greek sailors are aboard the ten ships flying the Greek flag. (ANSA).