WORLD> Africa
Pirates to free Yemen cargo ship
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-02 07:50

Somali pirates have agreed to release a Yemeni cargo ship without ransom after successful negotiations between the hijackers, local elders and a Yemeni official, a local official said yesterday.

"No ransom was paid, but after negotiations, the pirates will get off the ship soon. The Yemeni ship will be released in the coming hours," said Ali Abdi Aware, state minister of the northern province of Puntland.

The MV Amani was seized on Nov 25.

This year's surge in piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean off Somalia has seen insurance costs rise, brought millions in ransoms, and sent navies rushing to the area.

But attacks continue despite the presence of more than a dozen foreign warships. Pirates are holding more than a dozen ships, with nearly 300 crew members hostage.

In Kiev, Foreign Ministry spokesman Vasyl Kyrylych said talks to release a Ukrainian ship, the MV Faina, being held with 33 tanks on board, were nearing conclusion.

"What is important for us is that the talks are now in their final phase and what is particularly important is that the atmosphere remains satisfactory and that the state of health of the sailors remains satisfactory," he said.

"We expect the liberation of the hostages very soon," the spokesman added, without giving any more details.

The pirates had been demanding $8 million as ransom.

A multinational force including US, British, Russian and German warships is patrolling the waters off Somalia.

Agencies

(China Daily 12/02/2008 page12)