Somali pirates release aid ship

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A ship carrying food aid to Somalia which was seized a week ago by pirates has been released.

The Jordanian-registered Victoria, carrying a cargo of 4,000 tonnes sugar donated by Denmark, was hijacked as it approached the capital, Mogadishu.

The ship's local agent said the crew of about 12 was safe and the ship was now heading to Mogadishu with Somali soldiers onboard.

The waters off Somalia among the most dangerous in the world.

The Victoria's crew are from Pakistan, India, Tanzania and Bangladesh.

Last month the United States and France proposed a UN resolution allowing countries to chase and arrest pirates in Somalia's territorial waters.

Somali officials have blamed Western companies for paying ransoms after hijackings, saying this only worsens the problem.

In April, the 26 crew of a Spanish fishing boat were released after being seized by pirates, and a reported ransom of $1.2m (Â£600,000) was paid.